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MEMOIR 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


GENERAL  JOHN    LAMB, 


OFFICER  OF  THE  REVOLUTION, 


COMMANDED   THE   POST  AT  WEST   POINT  AT 
THE  TIME  OF  ARNOLD'S  DEFECTION, 


HIS   CORRESPONDENCE   WITH   WASHINGTON, 
CLINTON,  PATRICK  HENRY, 


OTHER  DISTINGUISHED  MEN  OF  HIS  TIME. 


BY  ISAAC  Q'.  LEAKS 


ALBANY: 

JOEL  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 
1857. 


£Z°, 


W3U1 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1850, 

Br    ISAAC    Q.    LEAKE. 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Northern  District  of  the  state  of  New  York 


•  •  •  •    *  • 

•  •   •  •    •  • 

•  •    •  •«••• 


•  •  •  ••  •••  ••••*•  * 

•  •    •  • .  •  •      •    •  ••  • 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction.  Sons  of  Liberty.  Moral  Influence  of  their  exertions  on 
the  Revolution.  Effect  on  subsequent  Revolutions  in  Europe.  Birth 
and  Parentage  of  John  Lamb  Early  Occupation.  Characteristics. 
Opposed  to  ministerial  Aggressions.  A  Leader  of  the  Sons  ok  Liberty. 
The  Stamp  Act.  Early  Action  of  the  South  and  East.  Opposition 
of  the  Continental  Colonies.  Of  Jamaica.  St.  Christopher.  Stamp 
Distributors.  Burnt  in  Effigy  at  Boston.  Rebuked  at  New  Haven. 
New  York  aroused.  Lieut.  Gov  Colden  makes  preparation  for  en- 
forcing the  Act.  Repairs  the  Forts.  Colden  burnt  in  Effigy.  De- 
struction of  Private  Property  not  intended.  Gen.  Gage's  forbearance. 
Colden  delivers  the  Stamps  to  the  Corporation.  Page  5  to  16 

CHAPTER  II. 

Consequences  of  the  Outbreak  of  1st  November.  Committee  to  enforce 
Recommendations  of  Congress.  Action  of  Philadelphia.  Quickened 
by  the  Committee.  Arrival  of  Gov.  Moore.  His  conciliatory  Policy. 
Countermands  Military  Preparations.  Satisfaction  of  the  People. 
Minerva  searched  for  Connecticut  Stamps.  Threatening  Letter  to  the 
Assembly.  Stamps  for  Connecticut  burnt.  Reproof  of  Lieut.  Hal- 
lam,  of  the  Garland.  Repeal  of  the  Act.  Rejoicings.  Raising  of 
the  First  Liberty  Pole.  Statue  of  the  King.  Of  Pitt.  Mutiny  Act. 
The  King  requires  Compliance.  Partial  assent  of  the  Legislature. 
Damages  done  by  the  Rioters  to  be  paid.  Assembly  evade.  Liberty 
Pole  destroyed  by  Soldiers.  First  Battle  with  the  Citizens.  Second 
Pole  destroyed.  Military  Violence.  The  King  demands  perfect  Com- 
pliance with  Mutiny  Act.  Decision  of  the  Assembly.  Third  Liberty 
Pole  destroyed.  Reerected.  Unsuccessful  attempt  to  destroy  it  with 
Gunpowder.     Violence  of  the  Military.     Attack  on  Bardin's  House. 

17  to  37 

CHAPTER  III. 

Preparations  to  enforce  the  Mutiny  Act.  Assembly  yield  a  farther  Sup- 
ply. Provide  for  a  part  of  the  Damages  of  Nov.  '65.  Deprived  of 
their  Privileges  by  the  King      Commissioner|  of  Customs  appointed. 

224387 


IV.  CONTENTS. 

Tariff  of  Duties  on  Tea,  #c.  New  Assembly.  Address  Parliament 
for  Restoration.  Dissatisfaction  with  the  Imposts.  Non-importation 
League  revived.  Massachusetts  Circular.  The  King  forbids  the 
Reading  The  House  remonstrates.  Massachusetts  refuses  Compli- 
ance with  the  Mutiny  Act.  Boston  invested.  Governor  demands 
farther  Supplies  Non-importation  League  rigidly  enforced.  Rumors 
of  the  Repeal  of  the  Duties.  Governor  Moore  dies.  Celebration  of 
the  first  Nov.  1769.     Gov.  Colden  not  noticed.  38  to  48 

CHAPTER  IV. 

New  Assembly  meet.  Governor  Colden  gives  Hopes  of  the  Repeal  of 
the  Duties.  Demands  further  Supplies.  Recommends  issue  of  Bills 
of  Credit.  House  pass  the  Bill.  Full  compliance  with  the  Mutiny 
Act.  Alarm  of  the  People.  Great  Meeting  in  the  Fields.  Assembly 
denounces  as  Libels  the  Papers  calling  the  Meeting.  Lamb  ordered 
to  the  Bar  of  the  House.  Examined  and  dismissed.  Insolence  of  the 
Military.  Interfere  to  prevent  the  Enforcement  of  the  Non-importa- 
tion League.  Liberty  Pole  assailed.  Montangnie's  House  forced.  Fourth 
Liberty  Pole  destroyed  Meeting  of  the  Citizens.  Riotous  proceed- 
ings of  the  Soldiery.  Battle  of  Golden  Hill,  and  before  the  New  Jail. 
Corporation  reject  Petition  for  Permission  to  reerect  the  Pole.  A 
piece  of  Ground  purchased.     Fifth  Liberty  Pole  erected.  49  to  59 

CHAPTER  V. 

Parker  examined.  McDougall  arrested.  Confinement.  Case  assimi- 
lated to  Wilkes's.  House  purchased  by  Sons  of  Liberty.  Hampden 
Hall.  Kepeal  Celebration.  Citizens  salute  McDougall  in  Jail.  Soldiers 
attempt  Liberty  Pole.  Assault  Hampden  Hall.  Repulsed.  Dispersed. 
McDougall  gives  Bail.  Is  released.  Non-importation  League  de- 
clines. Repeal  of  the  Duties  except  on  Tea,  Efforts  of  Sons  of  Lib- 
erty to  sustain  the  League.  General  Committee  recommend  Abroga- 
tion. Denounced  at  Faneuil  Hall.  Hampden  Hall  Protest.  Impor- 
tation of  every  thing  except  Tea.  Lord  Dunmore  Governor.  Mc- 
Dougall arrested  on  Speaker's  Warrant.  Committed  for  Contempt. 
Habeas  Corpus.  House  demur.  Outrage  of.  the  Soldiers  Tryon 
succeeds  Lord  Dunmore.  Pitt's  Statue  mutilated.  Efforts  to  induce 
importation  of  Tea.     Kelly  burnt  in  Effigy.     1770  to  1773.      60  to  77 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Vigilance  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty.  Boston  Tea  Ships  arrive.  That  for 
New  York  expected.  Tryon  resolves  to  force  the  Landing.  Determi- 
nation to  exclude  it.  Meeting  of  the  Citizens.  Committee  of  Fifteen. 
Tea  Destroyed  at  Boston.  New  York  Tea  Ship  blown  off  the  Coast. 
Arrives  and  taken  Possession  of  by  the  Committee.     Ship  London 


CON  TENTS.  .V 

arrives.  Searched.  Tea  found  and  Destroyed.  Committee  send 
back  the  Tea  Ship  without  unloading.  Stringent  Measures  against 
Boston.  Committee  of  Fifty-One  .against  reviving  Non-importation 
League.  Overruled  General  Congress.  Boards  and  Straw  for  the 
Barracks  at  Boston  stopped.  Sons  of  Liberty  propose  to  arm  and  equip 
themselves.  Provincial  Congress  Rum  seized  and  sent  to  Concord. 
Custom  House  closed      General  Armament  of  the  Whigs.      78  to  103 

CHAPTER  VII. 

War  begun  Governor  temporizes.  British  Troops  expected.  Congress 
recommends  no  Opposition  to  the  Landing.  Provision  of  warlike 
Stores.  Magazine  at  Turtle  Bay  seized.  Lamb  applies  for  a  Com- 
mission— is  appointed  to  the  Artillery.  Cannon  ordered  for  the  Forts 
in  the  Highlands.  Provincial  Congress  orders  Cannon  removed  from 
the  Battery.  Removed.  Asia  fires  upon  the  Town.  Lamb's  Company 
filled  up.  Ordered  to  the  North  Proceedings  of  Schuyler's  Army. 
Schuyler  compelled  to  resign  the  Command.  Lamb  arrives  in  Mont- 
gomery's Camp.  Siege  of  St.  Johns.  New  Batteries  opened.  Effi- 
ciency of  the  Fire.  Attempt  to  relieve  Garrison.  Carleton  repulsed 
Flag  sent  into  the  Fort.  Lamb  receives  the  Surrender— takes  posses- 
sion of  the  Fort.  March  on  Montreal — arrival.  Disputes  with  the 
General.  Lamb  proposes  to  resign.  Dissuaded  by  Montgomery 
March  on  Quebec.     1775.  104  to  122 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

March  on  Quebec.  Junction  with  Arnold.  Quebec  invested.  Breast- 
works of  Ice.  Fire  on  the  Town  ineffectual.  Montgomery's  Visit  to 
the  Trenches.  Aaron  Burr.  Preparations  for  storming  Delayed.  Re- 
solved on.  Montgomery  killed.  McPherson.  Cheeseman.  Camp- 
bell orders  a  Retreat.  Lamb  with  Arnold's  Detachment,  leads  the 
Van  of  the  Stormers.  First  Battery.  Gun  abandoned.  Battery 
carried  by  the  Bayonet.  Arnold  wounded.  Morgan.  Lamb  wound- 
ed. Second  Barrier  carried.  News  of  the  Repulse  of  Montgomery. 
Sortie  of  the  Garrison.  Retreat  of  the  Advance  cut  off.  Occupy  a 
House.  Cannon  brought  against  it.  Surrender  of  the  Detachment. 
Scottish  Commissary.     The  Hospital.  123  to  134 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Enterprise  fails  by  Irresolution  of  Campbell.  Lamb  promoted.  Quebec 
Horologer.  Prisoners  in  the  Seminary.  Plan  Escape.  Discovered 
and  Plan  abandoned  Some  of  the  Privates  enlist.  Reproved  by  Lamb 
and  Steele.  Maclean's  Letter.  Treatment  of  the  Prisoners.  Block- 
ade continued.     Distresses  of  Invaders.     Confidence  of  the  Canadians 


VI.  CONTENTS. 

declines.  Detachment  from  the  Town  defeated.  Arrival  of  Wooster, 
Thomas.  River  opens.  Sortie  of  Carleton.  Retreat  of  the  Ame- 
ricans.    Affair  of  the  Cedars — of  Three  Rivers.  135  to  143 

CHAPTER  X. 

Prisoners  apply  for  Release  on  Parole.  Negotiation.  Effected  by  in- 
terposition of  Foreign  Officers.  Arrival  in  Bay  of  New  York.  The 
Great  Fire.  Lamb  reports  himself  at  Head  Quarters.  To  Congress. 
Promoted.  Ordered  to  raise  a  Regiment.  Oswald,  Lieut. -Colonel. 
Officers  from  New  Haven.  Other  Parts  of  Connecticut.  Sons  of 
Liberty.  Mott.  Wiley.  Robert  Troup.  General  Knox.  Paul  Re- 
rere.     Sears.     Major  Ebenezer  Stevens.  144  to  153 

CHAPTER  XL 

Tryon's  first  Invasion  of  Connecticut.  Lands  at  Cedar  Point.  Burns 
Danbury.  Retreat.  Death  of  Wooster.  Arnold  at  Ridgefield.  At 
Saugatuck  River.  Battle  at  Ridgefield  and  Compo.  Lamb  at  Compo. 
Attempt  to  Storm  Field  Pieces.  Wounded.  Hospital.  Fortitude  of 
Travis,  a  young  Militia  Officer.     1777.  154  to  164 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Recruiting.  Mott  at  Albany.  Gen.  Gates.  Meigs's  Expedition  Put- 
nam's Design  on  Long  Island.  Preparations  for  Descent.  Orders  to 
Peekskill.  Gates's  Intrigue.  Machinations  against  Schuyler  and  St. 
Clair.  Rumors  in  Camp.  Putnam's  Manners  repulsive.  Lamb  di- 
rected to  Fort  Montgomery.  Applies  for  Active  Command.  Bur- 
goyne's  Advance.  Camp  Rumors.  Arnold.  Movements  of  Sir  H. 
Clinton.  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton.  Storm.  Defence.  Garri- 
son cut  their  way  through.  Geo.  Clinton.  James  Clinton.  Lamb. 
Major  Lush  a  Prisoner.  Scottish  Volunteer.  Mr.  Hamilton's  Opi- 
nion of  Defence.     Marshall's.     Court  of  Enquiry.  165  to  181 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Putnam  out-manceuvered.  Oswald  begs  to  reinforce  the  Forts.  Retreat 
to  New  Windsor.  Heth's  Battle  of  Germantown.  Fort  Constitution. 
Geo.  Clinton  meditates  recovery  of  the  Forts.  Putnam  an  attack  on 
New  York.  Oswald's  Letter.  Col.  Malcom's.  Burgoyne's  Surren- 
der. Sir  H.  Clinton  moves  up  the  River.  Artillery  on  both  sides  at- 
tempt to  annoy  him.'  Esopus  burnt.  Holt.  C.  Colles.  Gen.  Knox's 
Letter.  Red  Bank.  Gates  sends  Reinforcements  to  main  Army. 
Putnam  detains  them.  Ordered  by  Hamilton  to  join  Head  Quarters 
at  White  Marsh.  Gen.  Knox's  Letter.  Fort  Mifflin.  Fortifications. 
Philadelphia.  182  to  193 


contents.  yir 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Gates's  Apology  for  Capitulation .  Lamb  at  Albany.  Letter  of  Doughty. 
Lee's  Dragoons.  Artillery  ordered  to  the  River.  Orders  counter- 
manded by  Putnam.  Major  Meigs's  Letter.  Court  of  Enquiry  res- 
pecting Loss  of  Highland  Forts.  Artillery  again  ordered  to  the  River. 
Lamb  to  command — to  march  to  Valley  Forge.  Oswald's  Letter. 
Philadelphia  evacuated.  Order  to  march  countermanded.  Gates 
commands  in  Highlands.  Vexatious  Interference.  General  Order. 
Supersedes  the  Commander  of  Artillery.  Remonstrance  of  Lamb. 
Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress.  Commander  in  Chief.  Colonel 
Malcom.  Battle  of  Monmouth.  Letter  of  Knox.  Design  on  New- 
York.  Artillery  to  White  Plains.  Letter  to  Gov.  Trumbull.  Dis- 
pute of  Rank  with  Col.  Harrison.     Settled  in  favor  of  Lamb. 

194  to  204 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Consequences  of  the  Battle  of  Monmouth.  Gates  Faction.  Meditated 
Attack  on  New  York.  Confidence  of  Success.  Letter  of  Malcom. 
Of  Secretary  of  Congress.  Of  Gen.  Lovel.  Gates's  General  Order 
unauthorized.  Oswald  resigns.  Camp  at  White  Plains  breaks  up. 
Distress  of  the  Men.  Mott's  Letter.  Lamb  left  in  command  of  the 
Artillery  on  the  River.  Design  on  Canada.  Relinquished.  Army 
concentrated  in  the  Highlands.  Letter  of  Du  Simitere.  "  The  Sta- 
tue." Lieut. -Col.  Stevens  appointed  to  Lamb's  Regiment.  Supine- 
ness  of  Congress.  Of  the  People.  Letter  of  Gov.  Clinton.  Of  Sears. 
1778,  1779.  205  to  217 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Appointed  Surveyor  of  Ordnance.  Dispute  of  Rank  with  Col.  Crane. 
Correspondence  with  Gen.  Parsons.  Verplanck's,  and  Stoney  Point 
taken.  Probability  of  an  Attack  on  West  Point.  Alacrity  of  the 
Militia.  Ordered  to  West  Point.  Stoney  Point  Stormed.  Design  on 
Verplanck's,  fails.  Relative  Rank  with  Crane  decided  against  him.. 
Tenders  his  Resignation  to  Washington.  Not  accepted.  Washing- 
ton's Letter.  Gov.  Clinton's  Letter.  Appeals  to  Congress.  Con- 
tinues in  Command.  Camp  Rumors.  Letter  of  Col.  Carrington. 
Gen.  Parsons  prevents  Recruits  to  Artillery.  Ordered  by  Washington 
to  desist.  218  to  23Q 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Derangement  of  Quarter-Master's  Department.  Depot  at  Litchfield. 
Congress  Neglect.  Ordered  to  Springfield.  Letter  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  War.  Report  of  Surveyor.  Distress  of  the  Army.  De- 
preciation of  Currency.  Exorbitant  Prices  of  Necessaries.  New  Or- 
ganization of  Artillery.     Recommended  by  Gen.  Knox.     Referred  to 


Vlll.  CONTENTS. 

Lamb  from  Department  of  War.  Lamb  against  it.  Adopted.  De- 
monstrations against  the  Highlands.  Ordered  to  West  Point.  Atfair 
of  Springfield.  Concentration  near  West  Point.  Defect  of  Transpor- 
tation. 231  to  241 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Meditated  Attack  on  New  York.  Opinions  of  Officers  relative  to  French 
Armies.  Erroneous.  Succeeds  to  the  Command  of  the  Post,  and  De- 
partment. Scant  Rations.  Knox's  Letter.  Quarter-Master  General 
resigns.  Embarrassments  of  the  Army.  New  York.  Arnold  to  com- 
mand the  Highands.  Mr.  Duer's  Letter.  Moody  a  Spy.  Derange- 
ment of  the  Department.  Correspondence  with  Arnold.  Prisoners 
ordered  to  Camp.  Moody  detained.  Lamb's  Opinion  against.  Ar- 
nold weakens  the  Garrison.  Lamb  remonstrates.  Correspondence 
with  Arnold.     Malcom.     Knox.     1780.  242  to  253 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Moody's  Case  submitted  to  Washington.  Ordered  to  Camp.  Army  of- 
fer Battle.  Letter  from  Col.  Varrick.  Joshua  Smith.  Arnold's  Vis- 
its. Conversation  at  Arnold's  Table.  Mrs.  Arnold  at  Head  Quarters. 
Guns  ordered  to  Dobbs's  Ferry.  Delayed.  Vulture  in  Haverstraw 
Bay.  Requisition  for  Powder.  Reluctantly  granted.  Purpose  for 
which  it  was  expended.  Vulture  driven  from  her  Position.  Wash- 
ington arrives  at  Fishkill.  At  the  Garrison.  Arnold  receives  Jami- 
son's Letter.  Escapes.  Washington  receives  News.  Disclosed  to 
Lamb.  Orders  to  Verplanck's  and  Stoney  Point.  Back  to  West 
Point.  Varrick's  Illness.  Uneasiness.  His  Letters.  Oswald's. 
Smith's  Trial.  Causes  of  Arnold's  Defection.  McDougall  in  com- 
mand. Superseded  by  St.  Clair.  Lamb  commands  Artillery.  At 
Fishkill.  254  to  271 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Attack  on  Fort  George.  Fort  Ann.  Brant's  Incursion.  Repelled. 
Distress  of  the  Army.  Mutiny,  Wayne's  Division.  British  tamper 
with  Mutineers.  Overtures  rejected.  Holland  and  Spain.  Design 
on  New  York.  Conference  at  Wethersfield.  Attempt  fails.  Dis- 
patches stolen.  Moody  the  Spy.  Smith.  Arnold.  Preparations  for 
the  South.  Rev.  Mr.  Mason's  Letter.  Order  to  march  Cross  the 
Hudson.  The  Delaware.  Head  of  Elk.  James  River.  Yorktown 
invested.  Redoubts  stormed.  French  Battery  carried.  Retaken. 
Chamade.     Capitulation.      1780,1781.  272  to  280 


CONTENTS.  IX. 

CHAPTER  XXL 

American  Artillery.  Complimented  in  General  Order.  Ordered  to  the 
North.  Burlington.  Letter  from  Gov.  Clinton.  Col.  Wfllett.  Go- 
vernment of  Vermont.  Letter  to  Washington..  Reply.  Effects  of 
the  Capture  of  York.  Negotiations.  Inactivity  of  Congress.  Of  the 
States  generally.  Vigor  of  New  York.  Of  Connecticut.  Fourth  of 
July  at  Trenton.  March  from  Burlington.  Address  of  the  Citizens. 
Cessation  of  hostilities  at  the  North.     Conflicts  on  the  Sound. 

281  to  292 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Lamb  on  Furlough.  Confined  all  Winter  with  the  Gout.  Not  in  Camp 
when  the  Newburgh  Letters  were  produced.  Denounced  the  Author. 
Order  of  the  Cincinnati.  Opposed  by  Many.  Attacked  by  Judge 
Burke.  Lamb  a  Member.  City  evacuated.  Return  of  the  Exiles. 
Lamb  elected  to  the  Assembly.  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Com- 
merce. Adverse  to  the  Restoration  of  the  Royalists.  Votes  against 
them.  Chairman  of  Committee  on  Regulation  of  Trade,  and  the  Mili- 
tia. Favors  the  Establishment  of  a  Bank.  The  Emission  of  Bills  of 
Credit.  The  Bill  for  the  Disfranchising  of  the  Tories.  Appointed 
Collector  of  the  Customs  of  New  York,  and  withdraws  from  the  Legis- 
lature. Tories  favored  by  Schuyler,  and  Hamilton,  gain  Ground. 
British.  French  Parties.  Death  of  Anthony  Lamb.  His  Character. 
La  Fayette  embarks  from  New  York.  French  Officers  and  Citizens 
insulted.  Complaint  of  the  French  Consul.  Action  of  the  Legisla- 
ture on  motion  of  Col.  Burr.  Weakness  of  the  Confederacy.  Quali- 
fied Grant  of  the  Imposts  of  Congress.  Deemed  insufficient.  Convo- 
cation at  Annapolis.  Call  of  the  Convention.  Gov.  Clinton  refuses  a 
special  Call  of  the  Legislature,  at  the  Request  of  Congress.    293  to  30& 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Influence  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  declines.  McDougall  secedes.  Dies. 
Schuyler,  and  Hamilton  in  the  Ascendant.  Sears  on  a  Voyage  to 
China.  Dies  at  Canton.  Of  the  old  agitators,  Lamb,  Hughes,  and 
Willett,  of  the  State  Rights  Party.  Convention  assembles  in  Phila- 
delphia. Debates.  Propositions  which  transcend  the  Powers  of  the 
New  York  Delegation  submitted.  Favored  by  Hamilton.  Opposed 
by  Yates,  and  Lansing.  They  secede  from  the  Convention.  Consti- 
tution adopted.  General  Dissatisfaction.  Appeased  by  the  Efforts  of 
Hamilton,  Jay,  and  Madison.  Organization  of  the  Opponents  of  Rati- 
fication, without  Preliminary  Amendments.  Lamb  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence.     Anti-Adoptionists  assume  the  Name 


X.  CONTENTS. 

of  Federal  Republicans.  Letters  of  Patrick  Henry.  Richard  Henry 
Lee.  M  lanus  Burke.  Rawlins  Lowndes.  Samuel  Chase.  Joshua 
Atherton.  George  Clinton.  Reorganization  of  the  Non-Adoptionists 
as  Federal  Republicans.  Propose  George  Clinton  as  the  Candidate  of 
the  Party  for  Vice  President,  with  Washington.  Amendments  adopted, 
and  Acquiescence  of  the  State  Rights  Party.  304  to  329 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Party  Excitements.  Quarrel  between  Oswald,  and  Hamilton.  Duel 
prevented.  Heats  in  Albany.  Greene  Street  Battle.  Attack  on 
Greenleaf  s  Office  in  New  York.  On  Gen.  Lamb's  House,  meditated. 
Preparations  for  Defence.  Design  Abandoned.  Washington  no- 
minates Lamb  for  the  Collectorship.  Senate  confirm.  French  Re- 
volution. Party  Heats.  Republicans  side  with  the  French.  The 
Federalists  lean  to  the  other  Pary.  Aggressions  of  the  British.  Con- 
tested Election  between  Jay,  and  Clinton.  Clinton  successful.  Second 
Presidential  Election.  Some  Votes  cast  for  Clinton.  Arrival  of  Genet, 
the  French  Minister.  Great  Honors  paid  him.  Cities  address  him. 
A  French  Frigate  arrives.  Officers  feasted.  Fleet  arrives.  French 
Privateers  fitted  out  in  the  Delaware.  Lieutenants  of  the  Ambuscade 
decoyed  on  board  the  Boston.  The  Boston  sends  a  Challenge  to  the 
Ambuscade.  Accepted.  Battle.  Captain  of  the  Boston  killed.  Bos- 
ton escapes.  330  to  341 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Bets  upon  the  Issue  of  the  Battle  French  Party  elated.  Mortification 
of  the  English.  Genet  arrives  in  the  City.  Demonstrations  of  Re- 
spect. Arrogance  of  the  Minister.  Government  neutral.  Genet 
threatens  to  appeal  to  Congress  from  the  President's  decision  Charged 
with  threatening  to  appeal  to  the  People.  Denies  the  charge  Calls 
upon  the  Attorney-General  of  the  U.  S.  to  prosecute  Jay  and  King  for 
circulating  the  Report.  Attorney-General  refuses.  Ultraism  of  Party 
on  both  Sides.  Tri-colored  Cockade  worn  by  the  Republicans.  Term 
Democrat  introduced .  Democratic  Society  formed.  Governor  orders 
the  Ships  of  War  of  both  Nations  below  Governor's  Island.  French  Li- 
berty Cap  mounted  on  the  Flag-staff  at  the  Tontine.  Contested  Election 
between  Jay  and  Yates.  Jay  successful.  Jay's  Treaty  denounced. 
Public  Meetings.  Democrats  burn  the  Treaty.  Quarrel  between  Gen. 
Hamilton  and  Commodore  Nicholson.  Compromised.  Popularity  of 
Genet  declines.  Lamb's  ill  Health  Death  of  his  Assistant  and  Son- 
in-law.  Death  of  Col.  Oswald.  Infidelity  of  Lamb's  Clerk.  Conse- 
quent Difficulties.     Attack  of  the  Gout.     Death.     His  Character. 

342 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


PREFATORY  CHAPTER. 


The  American  Revolution,  which  has  produced  such  ex- 
traordinary results  at  home  and  abroad,  and  which  is  des- 
tined to  cause  still  greater  changes  in  the  European  world, 
will  elevate  the  eighteenth  century  beyond  that  of  any  of 
its  predecessors  in  the  annals  of  history.  The  success  of  the 
great  struggle  for  liberty,  which  was  by  the  many  supposed 
hopeless,  and  which  present  historians  deem  almost  mira- 
culous, was  brought  about  by  the  courage  and  perseverance 
of  a  few  indomitable  spirits,  whom  no  labor  could  weary  or 
danger  appal;  and  it  was  by  their  moral  courage  and  intre- 
pidity, that  this  great  Revolution  was  begun,  continued,  and 
ended. 

Many  of  those  who  figured  largely  in  the  history  of  the 
times;  and  some  even,  who  swayed  the  councils  of  the  nation 
after  the  struggle  was  successfully  begun,  were  content  with 
encouraging  the  revolt  of  others,  without  committing  them- 
selves; and  kept  within  the  pale  of  safety,  until  they  could 
embark,  without  fear,  upon  the  perilous  sea.  But  there 
were  some  who  were  not  only  the  principal  agitators,  but 
actors  in  the  most  daring  exploits;  and  who  threw  them- 
selves into  the  breach,  in  the  most  dangerous  conjunctures. 
Had  it  not  been  for  these,  who  took  upon  themselves  the 
fearful  responsibility  of  directing  and  participating  in  overt 
acts  of  rebeHion,  the  studied  arguments  of  others,  who  wished 


2  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

to  bring  on  a  crisis,  but  shrunk  from  its  dangerous  concomi- 
tants, would  have  been  unavailing. 

These  were  the  men  who  banded  themselves  together  at 
the  first  encroachments  of  the  mother  country,  under  the  de- 
signation of  associated  Sons  of  Liberty;  and  whose  boldness 
and  constancy  drove  the  ministerial  party  to  abandon  their 
open  attempts,  and  to  mask  their  resolved  purposes  under 
measures  less  palpable  to  the  general  perception. 

The  intent  of  the  first  association,  was  to  put  down  the 
Stamp  Act;  and  when  this  was  effected,  the  object  of  the 
society  appeared  to  be  accomplished.  But  the  acts  of  Par- 
liament, simultaneous  with,  and  subsequent  to,,  the  repeal, 
gave  to  the  more  sagacious  a  cause  for  alarm,  greater  than 
the  obnoxious  bill  which  had  been  rescinded.  The  Billeting 
Act,  or  Mutiny  Bill,  by  establishing  a  standing  army  in  the 
Colonies  at  their  own  charge,  was  intended  to  strengthen  the 
arm  of  the  royal  authority,  to  overawe  the  Assembly,  and  to 
coerce  the  people  to  acquiesce  in  the  impositions  of  the  Par- 
liament. 

History  is  full  of  the  resistance  to  the  enormous  assump- 
tions of  the  mother  country  by  New  England  and  at  the 
south;  but  little  is  said  of  the  attitude  of  New  York  in  that 
dangerous  crisis.  And  yet  in  that  Colony,  where  the  power 
of  the  sovereign  was  almost  omnipotent,  notwithstanding 
the  exertions  of  the  most  wealthy  inhabitants,  whose  large 
estates  were  held  by  grants  from  the  crown;  and  whose  sub- 
servience to  the  royal  mandates,  influenced  the  Assembly, 
together  with  all  those  who  subsisted  by  the  royal  bounty; 
there  was  found  a  chosen  few  who  remained  constant  to  the 
last;  and  who,  when  all  seemed  lost,  kept  alive  the  spirit  of 
resistance,  until  from  a  feeble  and  hopeless  minority  they 
were  enabled  to  triumph  over  the  power  of  the  colonial 
government,  and  prostrate  the  royal  authority  forever. 

The  association  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  was  organized  in 
1765,  soon  after  the  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act,  and  extended 
throughout  the  colonies,  from  Massachusetts  to  South  Caro- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  6 

lina.  It  appears  that  New  York  was  the  central  post  from 
which  communications  were  despatched,  to  and  from  the 
east,  and  to  the  south  as  far  as  Maryland;  which  province 
was  the  channel  of  communication  to  and  from  its  neighbors 
of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas. 

As  the  post-offices  were  under  the  control  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  the  riders  not  at  all  times  reliable,  the  committee 
of  New  York  (and  probably  the  other  provinces  adopted  the 
same  course),  upon  extraordinary  occasions,  despatched  in- 
telligence by  special  messengers ;  and  if  need  were,  a  part  of 
their  members  visited  in  person  the  neighboring  associations, 
to  ensure  the  perfect  organization  of  the  patriotic  league. 

The  New  York  Association  had  a  correspondent  in  Lon- 
don, to  whom  an  account  was  given  of  their  proceedings, 
and  from  whom  intelligence  was  from  time  to  time  trans- 
mitted, of  the  proceedings  and  the  supposed  designs  of  the 
Ministry,  which  was  disseminated  among  the  people  by  the 
association  at  home.  A  record  of  the  names  of  the  most 
active  of  the  leaders,  would  be  a  desirable  document;  but  as 
this  would  be  difficult  to  be  obtained,  without  great  labor, 
and,  perhaps,  by  a  single  individual  impossible;  a  list  of  the 
committees  in  the  different  provinces,  so  far  as  they  can  be 
ascertained  from  the  remaining  papers  of  the  committee  of 
New  York,  might  be  the  means  of  initiating  inquiry  in  other 
quarters  towards  producing  the  desired  effect. 

Those  from  Maryland  will  appear  from  the  following  ex- 
tract from  "  The  Proceedings  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  March 
1,  1766." 

The  Sons  of  Liberty  of  Baltimore  county  and  Anne  Arun- 
del county,  met  at  the  Court  House  of  the  city  of  Annapolis, 
the  first  day  of  March,  1766. 

On  motion  of  a  Son  of  Liberty,  to  appoint  a  moderator 
and  secretary,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Lendrum  was  chosen  mode- 
rator, and  William  Paca,  secretary. 

Joseph  Nicholson,  from  Kent  county,  presented  an  address 
from  that  county,  signed  Wm.  Ringgold,  Wm.  Stephenson, 


4  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Thomas  Ringgold,  Jr.,  Joseph  McHard,  Gideon  McCauley, 
Daniel  Fox,  Benj.  Binning,  Wm.  Bordley,  Jarvis  James, 
William  Stukely,  Jos.  Nicholson,  Jr.,  James  Porter,  Thomas 
Ringgold,  Jas.  Anderson,  Thos.  Smyth,  Wm.  Murray,  Jos. 
Nicholson,  Geo.  Garnet,  S.  Boardley,  Junr.,  Peroy  Frisby, 
Hen.  Vandike,  and  John  Bolton. 

William  Paca,  Samuel  Chase,  and  Thos.  B.  Hands,  were 
the  Anne  Arundel  County  Committee. 

John  Hall,  Robert  Alexander,  Corbin  Lee,  James  Heath, 
John  Moale,  and  William  Lux,  were  the  Baltimore  County 
Committee. 

Thomas  Chase,  D.  Chamier,  Robt.  Adair,  Patrick  Allison, 
and  W.  Smith,  were  the  Baltimore  Town  Committee. 

Pennsylvania. — William  Bradford  and  Isaac  Howell,  the 
Correspondents  at  Philadelphia. 

New  Jersey. — Daniel  Hendrickson,  Minister;  Peter  Imlay, 
Jr.,  Joseph  Holmes,  Jr.,  Peter  Covenhoven,  Jr.,  and  Elisha 
Lawrence,  Jr.,  were  the  Committee  of  Upper  Freehold. 

Richard  Smith,  of  Burlington. 

Henry  Bickers,  of  New  Brunswick. 

Connecticut. — Jo.  Burrows. 

Jona.  Sturgis,  Fairfield. 

John  Durkee,  Norwich. 

Hugh  Ledlie,  Windham. 

New  York. — John  Lamb,  Isaac  Sears,  William  Wiley, 
Edward  Laight,  Thomas  Robinson,  Flores  Bancker,  Charles 
Nicoll,  Joseph  Allicoke,  and  Gershom  Mott. 

Jer.  Van  Rensselaer,  Mynd.  Roseboom,  Rob.  Henry,  and 
Thos.  Young,  Albany. 

John  S.  Hobart,  Gilbert  Potter,  Thomas  Brush,  Cornelius 
Conklin,  and  Nathaniel  Williams,  Huntington,  Long  Island. 

George  Townsend,  Barack  Sneething,  Benj.  Townsend, 
George  Weeks,  Michael  Weeks,  and  Rowland  Chambers, 
Oyster  Bay,  Long  Island. 

Note. — The  foregoing  was  published  in  the  Home  Journal,  January 
7,  1848,  from  which  it  was  copied  into  Sears'1  s  Pictorial  History  of  the 
United  States. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction. — Sons  of  Liberty. — Moral  Influence  of  their  exertions  on 
the  Revolution. — Effect  on  subsequent  Revolutions  in  Europe. — Birth 
and  Parentage  of  John  Lamb. — Early  Occupation. — Characteristics. — 
Opposed  to  ministerial  aggressions. — A  Leader  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty. 
— The  Stamp  Act. — Early  Action  of  the  South  and  East. — Opposition 
of  the  Continental  Colonies. — Of  Jamaica. — St.  Christopher. — Stamp 
Distributors. — Burnt  in  Effigy  at  Boston  — Rebuked  at  New  Haven. 
— New  York  aroused. — Lieut. -Gov.  Colden  makes  preparation  for  en- 
forcing the  Act. — Repairs  the  Forts. — Colden  burnt  in  Effigy. — De- 
struction of  Private  Property  not  intended. — Gen.  Gage's  forbearance. 
— Colden  delivers  the  Stamps  to  the  Corporation. 

The  three  last  centuries  have  produced  more  important 
events  than  any  which  have  occurred  in  the  same  period  of 
time  which  has  preceded  them.  Neither  the  Jewish  nor  the 
Roman  empire,  ever  made  such  rapid  strides  to  power,  as 
that  nation  founded  by  the  descendants  of  persecuted  exiles, 
who  sought  refuge  in  another  hemisphere,  from  the  tyranny 
and  misrule  of  the  mother  country. 

From  the  proscriptions  begun  by  Elizabeth,  and  continued 
by  her  successors,  the  Puritans  were  forced  to  seek  in  the 
wilderness,  the  freedom  of  conscience  which  was  denied  them 
at  home.  And  although  resentment  of  their  many  wrongs, 
at  first  produced  in  them  the  same  intolerance  towards  dis- 
senters from  their  particular  creed,  as  that  under  which  they 
had  suffered;  yet  as  the  Colonies  increased  in  population  by 
the  influx  of  emigration,  the  fanaticism  which  had  grown 
up  among  them,  yielded  to  a  more  generous  sentiment,  while 
the  trials  to  which  they  were  subjected  preparatory  to  the 
great  effort  of  the  Parliament  to  reduce  them  to  vassalage, 
had  produced  a  more  extended  intercourse,  which  assisted  to 
form  a  national  character,  peculiarly  adapted  to  sustain  them 
in  the  Revolution  which  followed,  and  in  the  subsequent 
establishment  of  their  Constitutional  Government. 


6  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Resistance  to  the  arbitrary  principles  adopted  by  the 
Stuarts  at  an  early  period,  drove  some  of  the  best  citizens 
of  England  into  exile.  And  when  at  the  restoration,  the 
descendants  of  the  first  Charles  (inheriting  of  the  character- 
istics of  their  father,  nothing  but  his  dissimulation  and  his 
obstinacy),  commenced  their  career  of  proscription;  the  Pil- 
grims of  the  Colonies  derived  a  precious  accession  to  their 
physical  and  moral  strength,  by  the  expatriation  of  thousands 
with  resolution  to  dare  every  thing,  to  preserve  the  religious 
and  civil  principles  for  which  they  first  drew  their  swords, 
and  for  the  defence  of  which,  they  were  driven  into  exile. 

The  transactions  of  the  preceding  reigns,  and  the  discus- 
sions which  grew  out  of  them,  had  well  expounded  those 
principles;  and  the  men  who  had  been  actors,  or  participators 
in  those  momentous  events,  had  so  inculcated  them  into  the 
succeeding  generations,  that  it  needed  but  collision  to  pro- 
duce the  spark  of  patriotism,  which  set  the  whole  of  the 
Colonies  in  flame.  It  was  the  peculiar  character  and  con- 
stitution of  mind  of  the  Colonists,  formed  by  these  persecu- 
tions of  their  ancestors,  that  enabled  them  successfully  to 
resist  the  encroachments  of  the  mother  country.  The  remem- 
brance of  the  wrongs  of  their  fathers,  and  the  glorious  re- 
sistance which  they  had  made  at  home,  determined  them  to 
defend,  at  all  hazards,  the  precious  inheritance  to  which 
they  had  succeeded;  and  they  watched  with  jealous  eye,  the 
first  effort  of  the  British  Parliament  to  invade  their  privileges, 
and  to  fetter  them  in  political  bondage. 

The  designs  of  the  ministry  were  early  detected;  and  as 
they  gradually  developed  themselves  in  successive  acts  of 
Parliament  restricting  the  trade  of  the  Colonies,  the  obnoxious 
encroachments  were  every  where  met  with  boldness,  and 
resisted  with  energy.  The  law  imposing  stamp  duties;  the 
crowning  act  of  an  infatuated  ministry,  directly  affected  all 
classes  of  society,  and  met  with  universal  resistance;  and 
the  measures  resorted  to,  in  order  to  compel  its  recision, 
and  to  reform  other  abuses;  though  ruinous  to  many,  and 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  7 

severely  onerous  to  all,  were  submitted  to,  and  endured  with 
unexampled  patriotism  and  patience. 

The  unanimity  and  perseverance  of  all  ranks,  were  much 
promoted  by  the  unceasing  efforts  of  the  associated  Sons  of 
Liberty.  The  organization  of  that  patriotic  band,  which 
pervaded  every  part  of  the  Colonies,  was  the  germ  of  the 
Revolution.  By  their  intrepidity,  the  spirit  of  the  masses 
was  aroused;  and  by  their  persevering  industry  and  zeal,  the 
people  were  excited  to  oppose  all  efforts  to  enslave  them. 
These  bold  spirits,  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  future  armies  of 
the  Revolution.  And  it  is  to  the  moral  courage  which  they 
displayed,  and  the  indomitable  resolution  with  which  they 
braved  all  dangers,  that  the  world  is  indebted  for  the  illus- 
trious example  set  by  the  infant  Colonies  to  Europe,  and  the 
foundation  of  a  free  and  powerful  Empire. 

The  influence  of  these  patriotic  men,  and  the  successful 
issue  of  the  struggle  began  by  their  boldness,  and  sustained 
by  their  energies,  has  scattered  abroad  the  seeds  of  Freedom. 
These  have  borne  fruit,  in  encouraging  a  spirit  of  inquiry 
throughout  the  civilized  world;  reforming  despotic  govern- 
ments; regenerating  the  fairest  portion  of  the  other  conti- 
nent ;  and  given  to  France,  the  best  king  that  has  occupied 
her  throne  since  the  days  of  Charlemagne:  and  perhaps  the 
best  government  which  the  moral  constitution  of  her  people 
enables  them  to  bear* 

If  the  successful  issue  of  the  Revolution  has  solved  the 
problem  of  the  possible  existence  of  a  free,  yet  powerful 
government,  the  meed  of  applause  is  due:  first,  to  the  devoted 
individuals,  who,  despising  the  dangers  and  disgraces  to 
which  they  were  exposed,  set  at  naught  the  penalties  and 
disqualifications  of  conspiracy  and  treason — and  entered  into 
the  contest  with  a  full  knowledge  of  all  its  hazards,  and  with 
a  determination  to  persist  to  the  death  to  effect  their  eman- 

*The  whirlwind  of  Revolution  has  swept  over  Europe  since  these 
lines  were  written,  but  as  yet,  the  writer  sees  no  cause  to  change  the 
opinions  expressed  in  them. 


8  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

cipation:  and  secondly,  to  those  brave  men  who  bore  arms 
in  the  subsequent  struggle:  and  to  all  these,  however  ob- 
scure their  names,  or  imperfect  their  efforts,  the  Nation  at 
large  owe  a  deep  and  lasting  gratitude. 

The  task  of  perpetuating  the  fame  of  many  of  the  great 
leaders  of  the  Revolution,  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  able 
historians,  who  have  well  performed  that  duty.  To  rescue 
from  oblivion,  and  to  do  justice  to  the  founders  of  our  liber- 
ties, whose  personal  or  moral  courage  were  instrumental  in 
producing  great  and  universal  benefits  to  mankind,  is  pecu- 
liarly the  duty  of  the  present  age.  Now,  when  the  present 
race,  who  enjoy  the  blessings  purchased  by  the  blood  of  their 
fathers,  are  fast  verging  to  the  grave;  it  is  incumbent  on  all 
who  have  the  means  of  elucidating  past  transactions,  or  the 
power  to  do  justice  to  the  actors  in  the  scenes  which  have 
preceded  them,  to  lend  their  efforts,  beforej  they  are  them- 
selves called  to  account,  lest  the  deeds  of  their  ancestors  be 
forever  forgotten. 

Dunlap,  in  his  useful  history,  has  done  much  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  many  of  that  patriotic  association,  the  Sons 
of  Liberty.  To  the  names  of  Sears,  McDougall,  Willett  and 
Hamilton,  mentioned  by  him,  may  be  added  those  of  John 
Lamb,  Hugh  Hughes,  Gershom  Mott,  William  Wiley,  and 
Thomas  Robinson;  who  composed  the  most  efficient  and 
determined  committees,  from  1765  to  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war;  and  who  were  in  active  correspondence  with  the  pa- 
triots of  the  other  Colonies,  and  aided  by  their  labors  to  keep 
up  the  ardor  of  opposition  to  the  encroachments  of  the 
Ministry. 

The  claims  of  Hamilton  and  Willett  have  been  advocated 
by  their  respective  sons.  Some  account  of  both  Sears  and 
McDougall,  will  be  found  in  the  succeeding  chapters.  The 
first  was  a  man  of  great  personal  intrepidity;  forward  in 
dangerous  enterprises,  and  ready  at  all  times  to  carry  out  the 
boldest  measures;  the  latter  more  cautious  and  circumspect, 
yet  not  unwilling  to  hazard  his  personal  safety  whenever  the 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  9 

occasion  required.  It  is  matter  of  much  regret,  that  more 
ample  materials  do  not  remain,  to  do  justice  to  these  and 
others  of  the  fraternity. 

Of  the  many  who  earliest  embarked  in  the  Revolution,  and 
staked  their  lives  and  fortunes  on  the  result,  none  were  more 
active  and  conspicuous  than  John  Lamb,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir.  Of  an  ardent  temper,  yet  cool  in  the  formation 
and  execution  of  important  designs;  of  undaunted  courage 
and  indomitable  perseverance,  he  entered  with  the  enthusiasm 
of  his  nature  into  the  stormy  scenes  of  that  period,  and  ex- 
erted all  his  physical  and  mental  faculties  to  further  the  cause 
of  emancipation. 

His  father,  Anthony  Lamb,  was  a  native  of  England,  from 
whence  he  emigrated  to  this  country,  and  married  in  the  city 
of  New  York  a  lady  of  Dutch  parentage,  named  Ham;  of 
which  marriage  the  subject  of  this  history  was  born  on  the 
first  of  January,  1735.  Anthony  Lamb  was  the  most  cele- 
brated and  skilful  optician,  and  maker  of  mathematical  in- 
struments, in  this  country  of  that  day,  and  carried  on  those 
occupations  with  great  success.  In  early  youth,  the  son  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  his  father.  But  he  did  not  long 
continue  in  those  pursuits,  for  about  the  year  1760  he  com- 
menced the  business  of  wine  merchant;  and  through  the 
troublesome  times  which  preceded  the  war,  was  largely  en- 
gaged in  the  liquor  trade.*     About  the  period  of  his  majority, 

*  Previous  to  the  year  1762,  Mr.  Lamb  had  commercial  relations  with 
an  individual  named  Cairns,  who  was  for  some  time  located  at  Havana. 
Shipments  were  made  to  him  from  time  to  time,  and  wine  and  other 
commodities  received  on  account.  Cairns,  after  suffering  the  balance 
against  him  to  amount  to  four  thousand  pounds,  embarked  for  Liverpool 
in  England.  The  vessel  on  board  which  he  had  taken  passage,  foundered 
at  sea;  and  the  crew  and  passengers,  taking  to  the  boat,  escaped  to  the 
shore.  On  arriving  at  Charleston,  S.  C.j  Cairns  despatched  letters, 
ante-dated  at  Havana  to  New  York,  requesting  that  insurance  to  a  large 
amount  should  be  made  on  property  to  be  shipped  on  board  the  vessel 
then  about  to  sail.  It  so  happened  that  in  the  same  mail,  in  which  these 
letters  were  transmitted,  an  account  of  the  loss  of  the  ship  was  sent,  but 

2 


10  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

he  married  Catherine  Jandine,  a  lady  of  Huguenot  descent 5 
and  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  was  the  father  of  three 
children;  the  youngest  of  whom,  then  four  years  old,  is  the 
present  General  Anthony  Lamb  of  Albion  Place,  late  Alder- 
man of  the  city  of  New  York. 

Although  Mr.  Lamb  had  not  the  advantage  of  a  classical 
education,  he  was  possessed  of  more  than  the  usual  share  of 
the  literature  of  that  period.  He  was  well  versed  in  the 
belle-lettre  knowledge  of  the  day;  spoke  his  mother's  native 
tongue,  and  German  fluently;  and  was  a  proficient  in  the 
French  language.  This  last  acquirement  was  perhaps  of 
more  service  than  a  deeper  erudition,  in  his  subsequent 
military  career,  as  it  enabled  him  to  avail  himself  of  various 
works  on  military  science,  not  then  rendered  into  English. 
He  wras  a  fluent  speaker,  and  a  forcible  and  ready  writer. 
His  style  of  composition  was  bold  and  nervous,  and  he  was 
not  restrained  by  fear  of  the  law  of  libel,  nor  the  military 
power  of  the  time,  from  giving  full  scope  to  his  indignation 

the  name  of  the  wrecked  vessel  was  concealed.  The  insurance  was  ef- 
fected, and  Cairns  laid  claim  to  the  amount  of  the  policy.  He  even  com- 
menced proceedings  against  the  insurers,  and  flattered  his  creditors  that 
he  would  be  able  to  pay  his  debts  out  of  the  amount  to  be  recovered. 

But  the  fraud  was  resisted ;  and  from  something  having  transpired  un- 
favorable to  his  character,  Cairns  absconded,  and  for  a  long  time  was  not 
heard  of.  It  now  became  doubtful,  whether,  in  reality,  he  had  anything 
on  board  the  lost  vessel,  and  it  was  suspected  that  he  had  previously 
transmitted  his  property  to  Europe;  and  that  by  the  meditated  fraud 
upon  the  underwriters,  he  meant  that  they  should  furnish  means  of  in- 
demnity for  his  creditors. 

Many  years  elapsed,  when  a  man  disguised  as  a  Turk,  came  from  the 
Levant  and  set  up  a  Bazaar  in  London,  for  the  sale  of  Turkish  merchan- 
dise. For  some  time  he  continued  this  business;  but  being  detected,  the 
impostor  proved  to  be  Cairns,  who  again  absconded. 

Near  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Lamb,  then  Colonel  of  Artillery,  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  the  brother  of  his  defaulting  agent,  requesting  an 
interview,  and  intimating  that  he  had  disclosures  to  make  which  would 
be  beneficial  to  him ;  but  being  unwilling  to  expose  himself  to  a  confer- 
ence too  near  the  British  lines,  the  interview  was  for  that  time  declined, 
and  no  meeting  was  had  until  after  the  peace. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  11 

upon  all  occasions,  when  the  acts  of  the  crown  conflicted 
with  the  liberties  of  the  people. 

The  patriotic  paper  printed  by  John  Holt;  Hugh  Gaines's 
sheet;  and  the  Gazette  and  Spy,  cotemporary  papers  pub- 
lished at  Boston,  were  the  chief  vehicles  which  conveyed  in- 
telligence to  the  people;  and  all  bear  evidence  of  the  indus- 
try and  ability  of  Mr.  Lamb.*  In  addition  to  his  printed 
writings,  he  held  an  active  correspondence  with  kindred 
spirits  in  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  &c.  The  history 
of  this  city,  from  the  commencement  of  the  troubles  which 
preceded  the  Revolution,  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in 
1775,  is  in  fact,  the  history  in  part,  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir:  as  no  important  political  movement  was  made,  or 
practical  demonstration  exhibited,  which  his  mind  had  not 
assisted  to  plan,  or  his  hand  to  execute.  Although  his  name 
is  not  so  frequently  mentioned  as  some  others;  as  he  was  in 
most  cases  the  narrator  of  the  events;  and  the  exploits  of  his 
coadjutors  figure  more  largely  than  his  own:  he  was,  not- 
withstanding, the  principal  agitator.  A  succinct  detail, 
therefore,  of  the  general  transactions  of  that  time,  will  not 
be  deemed  inappropriate. 

From  the  earliest  periods,  when  the  British  Ministry,  un- 
mindful of  the  wise  counsels  of  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  aban- 
doned the  prudent  measures  of  the  preceding  reign,  and  be- 
gan to  fetter  the  commerce  of  the  Colonies;  Mr.  Lamb  was 
found  the  steady  and  determined  opposer  of  all  vexatious 
restrictions,  and  encroachments.  The  adoption  of  regula- 
tions ostensibly  to  prevent  smuggling,  but  in  reality  to  cut 
off  the  trade  of  the  Colonies  with  those  in  this  hemisphere 
belonging  to  other  powers:  a  trade  not  contravening  in  spirit 
any  acts  of  Parliament,  was  a  very  injurious  blow  to  the 
colonial  merchants  generally;  and  bore  with  peculiar  seve- 

*  Among  the  Handbills  of  the  New  York  Historical  Library,  many  con- 
tain intrinsic  evidence  of  having  been  written  by  him.  The  one  signed 
A  Plebeian,  can  be  safely  claimed,  as  the  typographical  errors  are  cor- 
rected in  his  hand-writing.  That  also  signed  A  Mechanic,  has  strong 
identity  of  parentage  with  the  Plebeian. 


12  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

rity  upon  the  interests  of  Mr.  Lamb,  as  he  dealt  chiefly  with 
commodities,  the  growth  of  France  and  Spain,  and  was  in 
the  habit  of  importing  largely  from  the  islands  of  those 
powers,  the  products  necessary  to  his  commerce. 

The  Colonists  had  submitted,  but  not  without  murmuring, 
to  the  system  of  taxation  by  impost  duties,  as  the  profits  of 
trade  enabled  them  to  bear  their  imperceptible  burthens;  and 
they  bounded  their  repugnance  to  these  acts,  to  petitions  and 
remonstrances.  But  when  the  Minister  unmasked  his  de- 
signs, and  brought  forward  his  incipient  measure  of  direct 
taxation,  the  obnoxious  duty  on  stamped  paper;  they  took 
bolder  and  more  active  measures  to  resist  the  alarming  en- 
croachments. Against  this  act  the  dissatisfaction  was  uni- 
versal; and  many  who  subsequently  figured  as  the  firmest 
supporters  of  the  British  government,  and  afterwards  bore 
arms  against  the  men  with  whom  they  were  then  acting, 
were  no  way  backward  in  resistance.  Even  the  legal  pro- 
fession, the  last  to  feel  the  effect  of  stringent  measures  of 
taxation,  felt  themselves  wofully  embarrassed  in  their  affairs; 
and  the  judicial  business  of  the  Colonies  was  threatened  with 
ruinous  impediments,  by  the  operation  of  the  law.  And  when 
early  in  the  year  1765,  the  Minister  brought  forward  the  act, 
to  be  obligatory  in  all  the  British  Colonies,  all  those  on  the 
continent  entered  into  a  system  of  united  opposition. 

Vigorous  efforts  were  made  to  rouse  the  people  to  resist- 
ance, and  induce  them  to  consent  to  measures  of  non-impor- 
tation from  Great  Britian,  before  the  Congress,  which  assem- 
bled in  New  York  in  1765,  was  convened.  But  after  that 
Congress  had  met,  and  the  merchants  of  all  the  trading 
towns,  and  members  of  the  legal  profession  had  entered  into 
the  measures  recommended  by  the  Congress,  as  the  most  ef- 
fective means  of  averting  the  threatened  evil,  the  Sons  of 
Liberty  determined  to  exert  a  "  vigor  beyond  the  law,"  to 
compel  the  Minister  to  rescind  the  act. 

The  popular  press  in  New  York,  teemed  with  firm,  but 
moderate  articles,  against  the  reception  of  the  stamps;  but 
in  imitation  of  the  journals  in  the  neighboring  colonies, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  13 

gradually  warmed,  as  the  final  struggle  approached.  A  pa- 
per in  New  Haven,  published  an  admonition  and  rebuke,  to 
the  distributor  appointed  for  that  city,  which  seemed  equally 
applicable  to  all  who  had  accepted  the  odious  office,  and 
which  was  copied  with  approval  by  the  papers  of  the  other 
provinces.  Three  days  before  this  publication,  the  people 
of  Boston,  not  having  been  apprised  that  their  distributor  had 
resigned,  burnt  his  effigy  with  the  usual  ceremonies.  James 
McEvers,  the  distributor  appointed  for  New  York,  had  early 
given  out,  that  he  would  not  execute  the  duties  of  his  office; 
and  warned  by  these  indications  of  the  public  feeling,  reite- 
rated more  emphatically  his  determination,  and  refused  to 
take  the  stamps  into  custody  on  their  arrival.  And  the  south, 
from  Carolina  to  the  Hudson,  had  declared  their  resolution 
to  resist  the  operation  of  the  law.  Intelligence  was  received 
that  the  islands  of  Jamaica  and  St.  Christopher  were  resolved 
to  oppose  the  reception  of  the  obnoxious  papers;  and  the 
colonies  of  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick,  were  not  be- 
hind their  brethren  of  New  England,  in  overt  acts  of  repu- 
diation. Even  Canada,  revolted  at  the  degrading  law,  and 
resolved  to  oppose  it. 

The  colony  of  New  York,  had  not  made  many  open  de- 
monstrations of  hostility  to  the  law:  yet  the  Sons  of  Liberty- 
had  pledged  cooperation  to  their  brethren  abroad;  and  were 
determined  not  to  be  out  done,  in  any  act  of  zeal,  in  the  de- 
fence of  their  constitutional  rights.  The  necessity  of  securing 
the  fidelity  of  the  popular  press  of  the  city,  was  obvious;  and 
some  fears  were  entertained,  that  the  conductor  might  shrink 
from  the  responsibility  of  publishing  his  journal  upon 
unstamped  paper,  in  direct  disobedience  of  the  law.  On 
the  evening  of  the  thirty-first  of  October,  placards  were 
placed  at  the  Coffee  House,  and  letters*  thrown  in  at  the  win- 

*As  you  have  hitherto  proved  yourself  a  friend  to  liberty,  by  publishing 
such  compositions  as  had  a  tendency  to  promote  the  cause  we  are  engaged 
in,  we  are  encouraged  to  hope  you  will  not  be  deterred  from  continuing 
your  useful  paper,  by  groundless  fear  of  the  detestable  stamp  act. 

However,  should  you  at  this  critical  time  shut  up  the  press,  and  basely 


14  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

dows  of  the  publisher's  office,  admonitory  of  the  consequences 
of  defection.  In  reply  to  which,  he*  published  a  manifesto, 
resolving  to  issue  his  paper  as  usual,  in  defiance  of  the  law. 

On  the  3 1st  of  October,  the  day  before  the  law  was  to  take 
effect,  a  meeting  had  been  called  at  Burns's  Coffee  House, 
at  which  a  large  concourse  were  assembled,  and  resolves  were 
passed  to  enforce  opposition  to  the  distribution  of  the  stamps, 
and  to  form  associations  to  discourage  the  importation  of 
goods  from  Great  Britain  until  the  act  was  rescinded.  The 
resolves  were  approved  by  a  large  majority  of  the  meeting, 
and  two  hundred  merchants  subscribed  them.  At  this  meet- 
ing it  was  proposed  to  raise  a  committee  to  correspond  with 
the  different  Colonies,  and  to  propose  articles  of  confederacy, 
the  better  to  give  effect  to  the  resolves.  Many  prominent 
names  were  put  in  nomination,  but  the  duty  was  declined. 
At  length  Isaac  Sears,  John  Lamb,  Gershom  Mott,  William 
Wiley,  and  Thomas  Robinson,  the  most  ardent  of  the  asso- 
ciated Sons  of  Liberty,  men  whom  danger  could  not  appal, 
volunteered  their  services,  and  were  accepted. 

Gordon  asserts  that  this  committee  was  appointed  by  a 
meeting  of  the  6th  November,  and  he  is  followed  by  all  sub- 
sequent historians.  But  it  can  not  be  discovered  from  the 
papers  of  the  day  that  any  such  meeting  was  held.  Botta 
has  been  misled  into  a  similar  error;  but  at  the  same  time 
discloses  the  mistake,  when  he  says  that  this  meeting  coerced 
from  Lieut.-Gov.  Colden  the  surrender  of  the  stamped  paper 
to  the  corporation;  an  event  which  occurred  before  the  day 
on  which  the  meeting  was  said  to  have  been  held. 

The  cause  of  these  errors  was  this:  Holt's  paper  was  is- 

desert  us,  depend  upon  it,  your  house,  person,  and  effects,  will  be  in  im- 
minent danger.  We  shall  therefore  expect  your  paper  on  Thursday  as 
usual;  if  not  on  Thursday  evening.     Take  care. 

Signed  in  the  name,  and  by  the  order,  of  a  great  number  of  the  Free 

Sons  of  New  York. 

On  the  Turf,  the  2d  November,  1765. 

John  Hampden. 
*  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  15 

sued  weekly,  and  the  meeting  of  the  31st  October,  at  which 
the  committee  was  raised,  was  not  published  in  the  paper  of 
that  day,  but  was  deferred  until  the  7th  of  November,  the 
next  day*  of  publication. 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  committee  was 
chosen,  the  people  assembled  in  masses,  and  some  disturbance 
was  threatened;  but  the  authorties  of  the  city  quickly  dis- 
persed them,  and  the  night  quietly  passed  away. 

The  first  day  of  November  had  now  arrived;  the  awful 
day,  when  the  abominable  rescript  was  to  begin  its  opera- 
tion. The  people  had  become  excited  by  the  apparent  de- 
termination of  Lieut.-Gov.  Colden  to  enforce  the  act,  and  to 
issue  the  stamps  which  were  lodged  within  the  Fort.  This 
officer  had  not  been  the  least  backward  of  the  Colonial  ma- 
gistrates, in  inducing  the  Minister  to  adopt  the  most  rigor- 
ous measures:  and  he  was  marked  by  the  people  for  having 
requested  an  extension  of  his  power  and  means,  to  compel 
them  to  obedience.  He  had  been  accused  of  declaring  his 
intention  to  coerce  submission;  and  it  is  certain  that  he  had 
ordered  repairs  to  the  Fort,  and  made  other  warlike  demon- 
strations. These,  increased  by  many  other  causes  of  dislike, 
were  the  motives  which  incited  the  popular  leaders  to  bestow 
some  signal  marks  of  reprobation  upon  him.  They  there- 
fore, with  great  order,  and  with  the  usual  solemnities,  pro- 
ceeded to  burn  his  effigy;  which  was  effected  without  any 
serious  outbreak,  except  consuming  his  state  chariot,  together 
with  his  obnoxious  resemblance.f 

Although  this  was  done  under  the  very  walls  of  the  Fort, 
and  in  full  view  of  the  soldiers  stationed  on  the  ramparts; 
Gen.  Gage,  the  commander  of  the  forces,  afterwards  Gover- 
nor of  Massachusetts,  restrained  the  troops  from  firing  upon 
the  rioters;  for  which  act  of  prudence  and  forbearance,  the 
Common  Council  of  the  City  ordered  an  official  expression 
of  their  respect  and  gratitude.     It  was  undoubtedly  the  in- 

*  Holt's  paper.     Botta,  vol.  i.,  p.  74,  et  seq. 
f  Holt's  paper,  1192. 


16  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

tention  of  the  promoters  of  this  manifestation  of  reproof  to 
Gov.  Colden,  that  the  affair  should  have  ended  with  a  bon 
fire;*  but  some  of  the  rioters,  disregarding  the  commands  of 
their  leaders,  proceeded  to  commit  violence  and  waste  upon 
the  property  of  Maj.  James,  one  of  His  Majesty's  officers, 
living  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  This  catastrophe  the 
leaders  vainly  strove  to  avert:  as  at  the  outset  they  had 
issued  the  strictest  prohibition  against  the  destruction  of 
private  property.  But  those  orders  had  been  violated  in 
this  respect,  as  well  as  in  the  destruction  of  the  Governor's 
chariot.  They  were  unavoidable  consequences;  and  it  is 
more  matter  of  surprise  that  greater  excesses  were  not  per- 
petrated, than  that  these  should  have  been  indulged  in. 

Stamped  papers  had  been  brought  from  England  by  a 
Capt.  Davis,  on  the  23d  October,  and  Mr.  McEvers,  the  dis- 
tributor appointed,  not  being  willing  to  receive  them,  they 
had  been  lodged  in  the  Fort. 

The  day  after  this  emeute,  Gov.  Colden  gave  public  notice 
that  he  would  not  issue  the  stamps,  but  would  leave  them  to 
the  discretion  of  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  Governor,  who  was 
on  his  way  from  England,  and  hourly  expected.  Some  of 
the  most  respectable  citizens  gave  confirmation  of  the  Go- 
vernor's intention  under  their  own  signatures.  Still  the 
people  were  not  satisfied,  and  required  that  they  should  be 
delivered  out  of  the  Fort  to  the  captain  of  His  Majesty's 
ship  Coventry,  to  be  reshipped  to  England;  and  upon  his 
refusal  to  receive  them,  they  insisted  that  the  Governor 
should  surrender  them  to  the  Common  Council,  to  be  depo- 
sited in  the  City  Hall.  This  was  done  on  the  5th  of  Novem- 
ber; the  Mayor  giving  a  receipt  for  their  security  against 
loss  or  destruction. 

*  Some  of  the  historians  of  the  time,  who  have  been  followed  by  Botta, 
ascribe  this  affair  to  the  sudden  outbreak  of  the  lower  class.  This  is  not 
true.  It  was  planned  by  the  leaders  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  and  exe 
cuted  under  the  direction  of  Lamb,  Sears,  and  others  of  the  fraternity; 
who  were  merchants,  traders,  and  reputable  mechanics.  The  mob,  how- 
ever, followed  them,  and  committed  the  destruction  of  private  property. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  1  7 


CHAPTER  II. 

Consequences  of  the  Outbreak  of  1st  November. — Committee  to  enforce 
Recommendations  of  Congress. — Action  of  Philadelphia. — Quickened 
by  the  Committee. — Arrival  of  Gov.  Moore. — His  conciliatory  Policy. 
— Countermands  Military  Preparations. — Satisfaction  of  the  People. — 
Minerva  searched  for  Connecticut  Stamps. — Threatening  Letter  to  the 
Assembly. — Stamps  for  Connecticut  burnt. — Reproof  of  Lieut.  Hal- 
lam,  of  the  Garland. — Repeal  of  the  Act. — Rejoicings. — Raising  of 
the  First  Liberty  Pole.— Statue  of  the  King.— Of  Pitt.— Mutiny  Act. 
— The  King  requires  Compliance  — Partial  assent  of  the  Legislature. 
— Damages  done  by  the  Rioters  to  be  paid. — Assembly  evade. — Liberty 
Pole  destroyed  by  Soldiers. — First  Battle  with  the  Citizens. — Second 
Pole  destroyed. — Military  Violence. — The  King  demands  perfect  Com- 
pliance with  Mutiny  Act. — Decision  of  the  Assembly. — Third  Liberty 
Pole  destroyed. — Reelected  — Unsuccessful  attempt  to  destroy  it  with 
Gunpowder. — Violence  of  the  Military. — Attack  on  Bardin's  House. 

This  was  an  important  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  the  Colonies. 
The  putting  down  the  Stamp  Act,  was  to  them  of  vital  im- 
portance, and  failure  was  utter  destruction.  The  leaders 
were  therefore  resolved  to  persevere  to  the  last.  All  eyes 
were  directed  to  New  York,  as  the  pivot  upon  which  the 
insurrectionary  movements  would  turn;  and  great  fear  had 
been  entertained,  lest  this  important  link  in  the  chain  of  the 
Union  might  be  severed.  The  South  and  the  East,  had  taken 
the  boldest  measures,  and  had  forced  their  distributors  to 
resign;  burning  the  most  obnoxious  in  effigy. 

Similar  inflictions,  were  almost  universal  in  the  Northern 
and  Eastern  Colonies,  but  until  the  recent  demonstration  in 
New  York,  nothing  of  the  energy  demanded  by  the  times,  or 
expected  by  the  people,  had  taken  place.  But  this  daring 
flight,  this  striking  at  a  higher  quarry,  enlivened  all  hearts. 
While  the  other  provinces  had  wreaked  their  vengeance 
upon  minor  officers  of  the  crown;  the  sister,  for  whose  faith 
3 


18  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

in  the  cause,  most  had  been  feared,  had  out-stripped  them 
all,  and  had  taken  the  Lion  by  the  beard. 

A  royal  Governor,  so  boldly  rebuked  and  forced  to  sub- 
mission, placed  New  York  in  the  front  ranks  of  opposition, 
and  second  to  none,  in  the  array  of  the  Revolutionary  legion. 
The  Sons  of  Liberty,  in  imitation  of  the  Parliamentary 
armies  of  England,  who  made  war  upon  the  King,  in  the 
King's  own  name;  justified  the  outbreak  of  the  1st  Novem- 
ber* as  an  act  of  "  true  loyalty  "  due  as  leal  subjects,  in  the 
exhibition  of  "  warm,  as  well  as  timely  zeal "  in  the  "  de- 
fence of  His  Majesty's  person  and  government."  The  ground 
thus  taken  could  not  be  very  consolatory  to  His  Majesty's 
representative,  whose  person  had  been  desecrated,  his  autho- 
rity set  at  naught,  and  his  property  destroyed  in  the  exhibi- 
tion; and  it  is  to  be  presumed,  that  he  "  conned  them  no 
thanks  "  for  this  exuberance  of  their  loyalty. 

The  Committee  of  3 1st  October  then  proceeded  to  enforce 
the  recommendations  of  the  Congress  of  Octoberf  at  home, 
and  to  correspond  with  their  brethren  abroad,  in  furtherance 
of  the  great  end  in  view.  The  Committee  advised  and  di- 
rected that  the  English  merchants  should  ship  no  more  goods 
to  the  Colonies,  until  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act:  and  that 
the  merchants  at  home  should  decline  selling  on  commission, 
any  such  goods  to  be  shipped  after  the  1st  day  of  January, 
1766.  This  circular  instruction  was  adopted  with  the  greatest 
unanimity. 

A  fair  or  market  was  established  below  the  Exchange, 
for  the  vending  of  articles  of  home  manufactures,  to  be  con- 
tinued at  stated  periods,  in  order  to  obviate,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, the  inconvenience  of  the  measures  adopted.J 

In  addition,  they  framed  articles  of  Union  to  be  adopted 
by  the  Confederated  Colonies  to  resist  the  act;  and  for  the 
assembling  of  a  General  Congress  in  case  that  the  Ministry 

*  Holt's  paper. 

t  This  Congress  assembled  7th  October,  and  dissolved  25th. 

jHolt,  1195. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

should  resolve  to  enforce  it.  These  were  sent,  first,  to  the 
Eastern  Colonies  for  concurrence,  and  after  having  been 
adopted  by  them,  were  dispatched  to  the  Committee  of  Bal- 
timore for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  their  approval,  and  that 
of  the  southern  provinces,  as  will  appear  by  the  following 
letter:* 

New  York,  April  3d,  1766. 
Gentlemen : 

We  are  informed,  with  your's  of  the  24th,  by  Mr.  M'Clure, 
with  your  [some  word  omitted,]  which  we  conceive  to  be 
as  efficacious  as  any  that  we  have  seen. 

Enclosed  you  have  a  plan  of  the  present  Union  of  the 
Colonies  (according  to  promise),  which  was  transmitted  from 
here  to  Connecticut,  and  by  them  communicated  to  the  other 
eastern  provinces,  in  all  which  it  has  been  approved  of,  and 
since  sent  westward. 

We  desire  that  you  would  forward  copies  of  it  to  all  the 
southern  governments,  with  as  much  dispatch  as  possible ; 
for  we  know  not  how  soon  we  may  be  put  to  the  test  by 
that  pack  of  infernal  rascals,  Granville  and  his  minions. 

Whenever  opportunity  offers,  we  should  be  glad  that  you 
would  communicate  to  Pennsylvania  as  much  as  possible. 

We  should  be  fond  of  your  opinion  by  the  quickest  con- 
veyance, relative  to  a  General  Congress,  in  case  the  "Act " 
is  to  be  enforced,  by  means  of  whcih,  a  plan  might  be  found 
to  be  pursued  by  the  whole,  as  we  expect  our  fate  is  decided 
ere  now.  The  sooner  you  communicate  the  better. 
We  are  with  the  utmost  esteem, 

Gentlemen,  y'r  H'ble  Serv'ts. 

To  the  Committee  in  Baltimore. 

The  Committee  was  active  at  home  and  abroad,  and  some 
intimations  having  been  received  that  seemed  to  threaten 
defection  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Lamb  proceeded  to  that  city, 
and  was  successful  in  procuring  a  compliance  with  the  pa- 
triotic regulations  of  the  Congress.  A  short  time  after  his 
arrival  there,  Mr.  Hughes,  the  distributor,  who  had  been  re- 
luctant to  relinquish  his  office,  and  was  suspected  of  a  design 
to  resume  it,  if  an  opportunity  should  offer,  published  a  per- 
fect renunciation,  and  avowed  his  resolution  not  to  serve  in 
any  emergency.     This  determination  was  brought  about  by 

*  Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.     Botta,  vol   i,  pp.  74,  75. 


20  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

letters  from  the  Committee  of  13th  November,  threatening 
a  special  delegation  to  assist  him  in  his  deliberations,  and  to 
quicken  his  conclusions.* 

The  ship  Minerva,  Capt.  Tillet,  had  now  arrived,  having 
a  second  shipment  of  stamps;  and  a  more  desirable  freight? 
in  the  person  of  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  expected  Governor. 
The  stamps  were  lodged  in  the  Fort,  but  the  Governor  on 
landing,  declared  that  he  would  not  compel  their  issue;  and 
the  people  for  a  season  were  satisfied  that  they  should  remain 
there.  The  Assembly  met  the  same  day,  being  the  one  to 
which  they  had  been  adjourned;  and  at  the  Governor's  re- 
quest, again  adjourned  until  the  next  day.f  The  Governor 
ordered  that  the  works  at  the  Fort  and  batteries,  which  had 
been  commenced  by  Lieut.-Gov.  Golden,  and  which  had  been 
one  of  the  causes  of  popular  indignation  against  him,  should 
be  discontinued. 

These  concessions  of  the  Governor  were  exceedingly 
gratifying  to  the  people.  The  Sons  of  Liberty  sent  him  an 
address,  congratulating  him  upon  his  arrival,  and  received  a 
complaisant  answer  to  their  letter.  On  the  next  day,  a  large 
meeting  of  the  populace  assembled  in  the  fields;  J  erected  pyra- 
mids to  his  honor;  and  the  evening  concluded  with  a  mag- 
nificent bonfire.  The  Municipal  authorities  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  Gen.  Gage,  the  commander  of  the  forces,  congratulating 
him  upon  the  peaceful  termination  of  the  late  alarming  dis- 
turbances; and  ascribing  much  to  his  prudence  on  the  occa- 
sion. The  General  replied  by  a  reciprocation  of  the  ac- 
knowledgments of  the  corporation,  and  intimated  that  a 
sanguinary  resistance  on  the  night  of  the  1st,  might  have 
had  an  unfortunate  tendency  in  fomenting  the  rebellious  in- 
dications in  the  adjoining  colonies.  Possibly  his  Excellency 
was  aware,  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty  had  received  letters  from 
all  quarters  in  the  vicinity,  advising  them  that  the  citizens 

*  Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  Assembly  Journals. 

%  Now  known  as  the  Park. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  21 

would  be  sustained,  should  the  military  force  be  called  into 
action* 

The  citizens  held  a  numerous  meeting  on  the  25th,  and 
renewed  their  resolves  to  discontinue  importations  unless  the 
act  was  repealed;  two  hundred  merchants  signing  an  agree- 
ment to  that  effect.  The  retailers  also  determined  to  aid  in 
carrying  it  into  effective  operation  by  refusing  to  purchase 
any  goods  imported  in  contravention  of  its  provisions.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  address  the  city  representatives, 
complaining  of  the  restrictions  on  trade,  and  denouncing  the 
act.  The  call  for  this  assemblage  was  signed  by  the  most 
wealthy  and  influential  of  the  inhabitants;  and  in  their  ad- 
dress they  assumed  the  boldest  grounds  against  the  preten- 
sions of  the  Mother  Country,  to  impose  taxes  on  the  Colonies 
without  their  consent;  particularly  repudiating  the  obnoxious 
stamp  act  of  the  Ministry,  as  arbitrary  and  oppressive.  The 
Assembly  received  this  address  without  any  extraordinary 
excitement. 

Peter  Delancey,  Jun.,  just  arrived  from  England,  had  been 
appointed  distributor  for  New  York;  but  a  committee  of  the 
Sons  of  Liberty  convinced  him  of  the  danger  of  serving  in 
that  capacity,  and  he  gave  the  most  satisfactory  evidence  of 
his  resignation,  and  of  his  determination  to  have  no  further 
concern  in  the  enforcement  of  the  act. 

Maryland  had  enforced  the  resignation  of  two  of  her  dis- 
tributors; but  Zachary  Hood,  the  third,  less  wise  or  more 
daring,  refused  to  abdicate,  and  fled  to  New  York  for  protec- 
tion. He  was  burned  in  effigy  at  home,  and  after  having 
been  some  time  within  the  Fort,  under  the  protection  of  the 
Lieutenant-Governor,  he  retired  to  Flushing  on  Long  Island.* 
But  he  did  not  escape  the  vigilance  of  the  New  York  Com- 
mittee, who  sent  a  large  deputation  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty 
to  compel  him  to  resign,  and  to  make  oath  of  the  sincerity 
of  his  renunciation,  on  the  28th  November.! 

*  Holt's  papers. 

t  For  this  salutary  interposition,  the  Committee  afterwards  received 


22  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  next  day,  Mr.  Lott,  the  clerk  of  the  house,  produced 
and  read  an  anonymous  letter,  couched  in  no  humble  terms, 
directing  the  Assembly  to  stop  out  of  the  Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor's salary,  a  sum  sufficient  to  repair  the  damage  done  to 
forts  and  batteries,  and  to  defray  the  expense  of  "  unspiking 
the  guns,"  which  had  been  disabled  on  the  night  of  the  riot. 
Most  of  the  histories  assert  that  the  populace  spiked  the 
guns,  to  prevent  them  from  being  directed  against  them ;  but 
it  was  asserted  by  the  people,  that  they  had  been  disabled 
by  the  Governor's  order,  to  prevent  them  from  being  used  in 
an  attack  upon  the  Fort,  which  was  apprehended  by  him. 
They  were  also  required  to  repeal  the  "  game  laws,"  which 
were  much  complained  of.  The  letter  was  in  the  incendiary 
style,  and  ought  to  have  been  passed  by  in  silence,  as  the 
effusion  of  ignorance  and  brutality.  But  the  friends  of  Gov. 
Colden,  indignant  at  the  audacious  justification  of  the  riot, 
and  the  impudent  demand  that  the  Governor  should  be 
mulcted  for  the  damage  to  the  public  property;  a  part  of 
which,  at  least,  was  done  by  those  who  were  inflicting  in- 
jury on  him;  gravely  pronounced  "  that  the  author  or  authors 
were  guilty  of  a  high  misdemeanor,  and  a  most  daring  in- 
sult on  the  honor,  justice,  and  authority  of  the  house,"  and 
offered  fifty  pounds  for  the  discovery  of  the  perpetrator. 

A  Mr.  Metcalfe,  who  had  come  over  passenger  in  the 
Minerva,  was  also,  on  the  30th  November,  called  upon  by 

the  especial  thanks  of  their  Baltimore  brethren,  in  a  letter,  from  which 
the  following  is  an  extract: 

Baltimore,  6th  March,  1766. 
Our  Society  order  us,  in  a  particular  manner,  to  return  thanks  to  your 
Sons  of  Liberty,  for  obliging  our  fugitive  stamp  master  to  resign  his 
odious  office;  he  having  fled  from  the  just  resentment  of  his  injured  coun- 
trymen. 

We  are,  Gentlemen,  Your  M't  Ob't  Serv'ts, 

Tho:  Chase,  Rob:  Alexander, 

Wm.  Lux,  Rob:  Adair. 

D.  Chamier, 
To  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  York. — Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  23 

the  Committee,  to  know  whether  any  commission  had  been 
given  to  him  in  relation  to  the  stamps;  and  upon  his  denial, 
on  honor,  that  he  had  none,  and  would  accept  of  none,  if 
offered  to  him,  they  were  satisfied.* 

Mr.  McEvers,  who  without  his  knowledge  had  been  ap- 
pointed distributor  for  the  city,  had  declined  to  receive  the 
first  stamps  which  had  arrived,  and  had  refused  to  accept 
his  commission.  But  the  people  suspecting  that  he  harbored 
the  design  of  resuming  his  appointment  in  case  the  law 
should  be  enforced,  called  upon  him  for  an  absolute  and  per- 
petual renunciation;  and  on  the  2d  December,  procured  the 
act  to  be  signed  by  two  witnesses.! 

The  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  York  having  effectually  se- 
cured themselves  from  the  issue  of  the  stamped  papers, 
turned  their  attention  to  the  protection  of  their  brethren  in 
the  other  colonies.  It  was  known  that  the  Minerva  had 
brought  out  stamps  for  Connecticut;  and  a  notice  was  pub- 
lished to  the  association,  in  the  following  words: 

26th  December,  1765. 
The  Sons  of  Liberty  desire  their  bretheren  to  be  ready  at 
a  call,  when  the  public  good,  the  only  thing  to  which  they 
are  attentive,  requires  them  to  exert  themselves. 
Meanwhile,  let  all  divisions  cease. 

A  Son  of  Liberty.! 

They  accordingly  assembled,  and  at  midnight  boarded  that 
vessel  with  a  heavy  force.  The  Commander  assured  them 
that  the  papers  had  been  lodged  in  the  Fort  on  the  eleventh 
of  the  month.  They  however  made  a  thorough  search  for 
the  obnoxious  documents,  and  finding  none  on  board,  they 
quietly  dispersed.  Not  having  succeeded  in  their  quest  of 
the  papers,  the  Committee  were  on  the  alert  to  intercept 
them;  and  having,  by  secret  advices  from  Philadelphia,  as- 
certained that  they  were  shipped  on  board  of  a  brig  com- 
manded by  a  Capt.  Haviland,  a  bright  look  out  was  kept 

*Holt,  1169. 
tHolt,  1199, 


24  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

for  the  vessel.  At  length  she  made  her  appearance,  was 
immediately  boarded,  and  ten  packages  of  stamps  were 
found;  these  were  seized,  taken  on  shore  to  a  convenient 
place,  the  ship  yards,  and  committed  to  the  flames  * 

Ascertaining  from  the  same  source,  that  Lewis  Pintard, 
a  merchant  of  the  city,  had  sent  to  Philadelphia  a  bond,  and 
Mediterranean  pass,  on  stamped  paper,  the  Committee  found 
out  the  person  from  whom  they  had  been  procured,  and 
compelled  the  delivery  of  all  the  papers  in  his  possession ; 
which  were  in  like  manner  destroyed-!  Mr.  Pintard  found 
it  convenient,  in  order  to  elude  the  vengeance  of  the  popu- 
lace, to  declare  an  oath,  that  he  was  not  aware  that  the  docu- 
ments were  stamped,  at  the  time  he  transmitted  them.  The 
Committee,  in  order  to  put  their  brethren  abroad  on  their 
guard,  sent  intelligence  in  both  cases,  of  their  proceedings, 
and  received  from  the  association  in  Philadelphia,  the  fol- 
lowing letters: J 

Philadelphia,  Feb'y  15,  1766. 
Bretheren : 

The  spirited  manner  of  your  proceedings,  not  only  ani- 
mates us,  your  bretheren,  embarked  in  the  same  good  cause 
in  this  province,  but  extends  the  same  influence  to  the  Colo- 
nies southward  of  us,  as  we  are  informed  by  a  true  Son  of 
Liberty  from  that  quarter.  And  as  your  conduct  in  the  pre- 
sent affair  of  the  Mediterranean  bonds,  is  a  most  striking 
instance  of  your  perseverance,  we  shall  most  cheerfully  afford 
them  the  satisfaction  you  intend,  by  making  them  acquainted 
with  every  particular.  Our  body  in  this  City  is  not  de- 
clared numerous,  as  unfortunate  dissentions  in  Provincial 
politics  keep  us  rather  a  divided  people :  but  when  the  grand 
cause  calls  on  us,  you  may  be  assured  we  shall  universally 
stand  forth,  and  appear  what  we  really  are, 

Sons  of  Liberty  in  Philadelphia. 

Let  the  Committee  of  New  York  Sons  of  Liberty  be  in- 
formed, that  as  yet,  no  occasion  has  required  the  appointment 
of  a  Committee  to  represent  us,  but  at  their  desire,  we  shall 
immediately  enter  on  that  measure. 

To  Messrs.  Lamb,  Sears,  Robinson,  Wiley,  and  Mott. 

♦Holt,  1201. 
tHolt,  1207. 
J  Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  25 

This  letter  was  written  by  William  Bradford,  and  enclosed 
in  the  following: 

Gentlemen : 

With  great  pleasure  I  rec'd  yours  just  now  by  express. 
Rejoice  to  hear  you  made  a  proper  use  of  the  infernal  stamps. 
The  one  which  was  travelling  through  this  province,  in  its 
way  to  Maryland,  was  exposed  some  days ;  and  last  night,  at 
7  o'clock,  in  a  very  full  Coffee  House,  was  consumed  by  fire, 
amidst  loud  acclamations.  You  may  depend  that  a  watchful 
eye  shall  be  kept  in  this  Province  ;  and  though  much  divided, 
yet  if  the  stamps  should  offer  in  the  least  to  be  distributed,  I 
am  sure  all  would  unite  in  the  opposition.  I  have  only  had 
the  opportunity  of  seeing  two  of  my  brethren  since  I  received 
yours,  and  as  the  Express  hurries  me,  we  have  enclosed  a 
letter  to  the  Sons  of  Liberty ;  and  you  may  depend  on  hear- 
ing from  us,  on  all  occasions,  for  the  suppression  of  slavery 
and  oppression.  Your  H'ble  Serv't. 

Wm.  Bradford.* 
Philad.,  Feb.  15,  1766. 
To  Messrs.  Lamb,  Sears,  Robinson,  Wiley  and  Mott. 

The  Committee  were  soon  after  called  upon  to  reprove 
the  insolence  of  Lieut.  Hallam,t  of  His  Majesty's  vessel,  the 
Garland,  who  had  used  some  very  offensive  language  in  re- 
gard to  them,  and  to  the  Printer  who  had  published  their 
manifestos  and  proceedings.  The  Lieutenant,  upon  being 
called  upon,  denied  the  language  imputed  to  him.  He  was 
accordingly  shown  the  affidavit  of  a  Capt.  Tolmie,  of  20th 
March,  who  swore  to  the  express  words,  and  another  affida- 
vit in  the  following  terms:* 

New  York,  ss  : 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  John  Bogert,  Jun.  Esq., 
one  of  His  Majesties  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  City  and 
County  of  New  York,  the  undermentioned  subscribers,  who 
being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God, 
Deposed  and  said  that  Normand  Tolmie,  of  the  said  city,  be- 
ing called  upon  by  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  to  set  forth  what  he 
knew  concerning  some  expressions  that  were  made  by  Lieut. 
Hallam  on  Tuesday  morning  last,  the  said  Tolmie  declared 
that  he,  Hallam,  had  said  that  our  proceedings,  or  those  of 
America,  were  similar  to  the  Rebellion  in  Scotland  in  the  year 

*Lamb  Papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Holt,   1212. 

4 


26  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

1745 :  and  that  the  Printer  of  the  Thursday's  Gazette,  de- 
served to  be  hanged  for  publishing  what  he  had ;  and  for  his 
part,  he  would  not  be  against  putting  a  halter  about  his  neck. 

Isaac  Sears, 
Abraham  Montanye, 
Thomas  Ivers, 
Will'm  Wiley, 
James  Dunscomb.* 
Sworn  before  me  this  20th  March,  1766. 

John  Bogert,  Jun'r. 

Another  deposition,  to  the  same  purport,  was  made  by 
John  Abeel  and  James  Abeel.* 

The  great  victory  was  won:  the  people  had  taken  a  posi- 
tion, from  which  they  could  not  recede  without  disgrace  and 
destruction.  The  old  party  name  of  the  revolution  of  1668, 
was  revived,  and  assumed  by  the  popular  party;  and  its 
odious  opposite,  though  cast  upon  all  who  did  not  cordially 
unite  in  resistance,  was  acknowledged  by  none,  except  the 
officers  and  retainers  of  the  Crown.  The  leaders  of  the 
populace  did  not,  however,  relax  their  efforts  to  keep  their 
followers  steady  in  resistance.  Able  addresses  were  published, 
warning  them  of  the  fatal  consequences  of  yielding.  If,  says 
one  writer,  you  comply  with  the  act,  by  using  the  stamped 
paper,  you  fix,  you  rivet  perpetual  chains  upon  your  unhappy 
country.  You  unnecessarily,  you  voluntarily  establish  the 
detestable  precedent,  which  those  who  have  forged  your  fet- 
ters wish  for,  to  varnish  the  farther  exercise  of  their  new 
claimed  authority.  If  you  quietly  bow  your  necks  to  the 
yoke,  you  prove  yourselves  ready  to  receive  any  bondage,  to 
which  your  lords  and  masters  shall  please  to  subjugate  you."f 

The  campaign  seemed  now  to  be  ended,  and  the  issue  of 
the  battle  was  awaited  with  anxiety  and  doubt  by  many,  but 
by  a  majority  of  the  opposition,  with  confidence  of  success. 
The  Parliament  had  taken  into  consideration  the  repeal  of 
the  act,  and  upon  preliminary  proceedings,  there  appeared  a 

*Lamb  Papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Holt. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  27 

large  majority  in  favor  of  that  measure.  This  news  had 
reached  Baltimore  on  the  5th  of  April,  and  an  express  was 
despatched  to  New  York,  with  the  following  letter. 

Baltimore  town,  April  5,  1766,  8  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Gentlemen : 

Capt.  Leonard  Brooke,  arrived  yesterday  in  Petuxent  River, 
from  Mess.  R.  &  I.  Days,  eminent  merchants  in  London, 
trading  to  this  Province,  who  wrote  Mr.  George  Maxwell,  of 
the  8th  February  1766.  We  send  you,  enclosed,  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Maxwell,  which,  as  he  is  a  gentleman  of  veracity  and 
character,  may  be  credited,  and  is  as  follows : 

Benedict,  Aprils,  1766. 
Dear  Sir : 

Capt  Brooke  is  arrived ;  he  has  brought  no  papers  with 
him,  but  Messrs.  R.  &  I.  Days  write  me  of  the  8th  February, 
"  We  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp 
Act,  which,  thanks  to  God,  is  just  now  resolved  here,  by  a 
great  majority  in  Parliament." 

I  am,  d'r  sir,  your  mo  obt  humb  servt. 

George  Maxwell,* 

The  letter  brought  from  Petuxent  this  morning  came  just 
now  to  hand.  On  receipt  of  it,  our  Sons  of  Liberty  imme- 
diately assembled,  and  ordered  this  Committee  to  send  off  an 
express  with  this  agreeable  news  to  Philadelphia ;  to  be  from 
thence  forwarded  to  your  city.  On  which  we  sincerely  con- 
gratulate you  and  every  well  wisher  to  the  liberty  and  pros- 
perity of  America. 

We  are,  with  respect,  Gentlemen, 

Your  very  humble  serv'ts. 
Patrick  Allison,  Thos.  Chase, 

Rob.  Adair,  Rob.  Alexander, 

D.  Chamier,  John  Moale, 

W.  Smith,  Wm.  Lux.f 

To  the  Sons  of  Liberty  at  New  York.     Pr  express  to  Phila., 
to  be  forwarded  from  thence. 

Similar  rumors  had  been  received  from  other  quarters, 
creating  well  founded  hopes;  at  length  on  the  16th  May, 
the  ship  Harrison,  belonging  to  John  Hancock,  arrived  at 
Boston,  bringing  information  of  the  repeal  of  the  law  on  the 

*Lamb  Papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tHolt,  1222. 


28  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

18th  March,  and  on  the  20th  May  the  news  was  announced 
in  the  city,  and  was  received  with  unbounded  joy  by  all 
classes  of  the  citizens.  This  satisfaction  seemed  to  pervade 
all :  but  the  act  of  repeal  was  accompanied  by  a  declaratory 
act,  which  clained  the  right  of  the  Ministry  to  levy  taxes  on 
the  Colonies;  and  by  a  law,  obliging  the  Colonies  to  provide 
barracks  for  such  troops,  as  might  be  quartered  among  them; 
and  to  furnish  them  with  certain  articles  at  the  expense  of 
the  Colonies.  This  act  was  called  the  Mutiny  Act,  and  was 
in  common  parlance  known  as  the  billeting  act;  and  to  many 
presented  gloomy  auguries  of  the  future.  On  the  fourth  of 
June,  being  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  the  King,  the 
people  assembled  in  the  fields  and  erected  a  flag  staff,  in- 
scribed to  the  King,  Pitt,  and  Liberty;  and  held  a  jubilee  on 
the  occasion.  An  ox  was  roasted,  twenty-five  barrels  of 
strong  beer  were  procured,  together  with  a  hogshead  of  rum, 
and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  ingredients  to  make  it  into  punch. 
A  pole  was  erected,  to  the  top  of  which  were  suspended 
twenty-five  tar  barrels.  At  an  other  part  of  the  common, 
twenty-five  pieces  of  cannon  were  ranged;  and  amid  the 
thunders  of  artillery,  and  to  the  music  of  the  band  playing,  God 
save  the  King,  the  standard  of  England  was  displayed, 
greeted  by  the  shouts  and  huzzas  of  the  populace. 

The  politic  Governor,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  Council,  the 
city  authorities,  and  the  military  retainers  of  his  Excellency, 
attended  these  festivities,  and  then  retired  to  the  Fort  to 
spend  the  rest  of  his  Majesty's  birth  day,  as  became  their 
several  functions,  and  in  a  manner  more  congenial  to  their 
secret  inclinations. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  even  after  the  declaratory  act  had 
been  conned  by  many,  and  sufficient  time  had  elapsed  for  di- 
gesting its  contents,  a  numerous  meeting  assembled  at  the 
Coffee  House,*  and  resolved  to  petition  the  Assembly  to  cause 
to  be  erected  a  statue  to  the  Honorable  William  Pitt:  f  The 

*  Holt's  Papers. 

t  There  were  some,  however,  who  took  a  clearer  view  of  the  character 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  29 

Assembly  received  the  measure  with  favor,  and  resolved  in 
the  first  place,  that  provision  be  made  for  the  erection  of  an 
Equestrian  Statue  of  his  Majesty  George  the  Third,  for  his 
benignity  and  condescension,  and  to  cause  a  statue  of 
brass  to  be  erected  to  the  Right  Honorable  William  Pitt, 
Esquire.  And  with  more  justice,  they  appropriated  means 
to  provide  a  piece  of  plate,  of  the  value  of  one  hundred 
pounds,  for  John  Sargent,  the  faithful  agent  of  the  Colonies.  * 
While  yet  the  people  were  in  the  good  humor,  which  the 
Governor's  conciliatory  policy  had  created;  he  communi- 
cated to  the  House  of  Assembly  his  instructions  from  the  Mi- 
nistry; and  among  other  requisitions,  he  called  upon  them  to 
comply  with  the  terms  of  the  Mutiny  Act,  and  to  make  pro- 
vision for  a  reinforcement  of  troops  expected  to  arrive  from 
England.  This  law,  which  had  been  passed  in  December, 
'65,  shortly  after  the  knowledge  of  the  riot  of  November  had 
reached  the  cabinet,  was  well  calculated  to  alarm  all,  who 
had  favored  opposition  to  the  Stamp  Act;  and  if  any  doubted 
its  intention,  the  declaratory  law,  which  accompanied  the  re- 
peal of  that  act,  was  sufficient  to  open  their  eyes  to  its  alarm- 
ing consequences.  Some  of  the  provisions  of  the  Mutiny  bill 
are  as  follows : 

of  Pitt,  and  of  the  motive  of  his  services  to  America,  who  were  not  un- 
willing to  see  republished,  some  time  afterwards,  the  pasquinades  of  the 
English  papers,  reflecting  on  the  Minister  and  his  proselyte,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  specimen  : 

"The  Pitt,  a  first  rate,  being  much  damaged  in  the  head,  in  a  late 
cruise  on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  is  paid  off,  and  laid  up  at  Chatham,-  where 
she  is  to  serve  as  a  store  ship.  On  examination,  her  timbers,  which  were 
supposed  to  be  true  English  heart  of  oak,  turned  out  to  be  nothing  more 
than  Scotch  fir,  bought  up  by  the  Favorite,  from  Mount  Stewart,  in  Bute- 
shire, and  hewn  out  by  him,  into  a  proper  form,  at  his  dock-yard,  near 
the  pay  office,  Westminster. 

It  is  much  to  be  feared,  also,  since  this  unlucky  discovery,  that  the 
timbers  of  the  Britannia,  another  first  rate,  will  all  be  found  unsound,  and 
that  most  of  the  ships  in  the  government  service,  will  turn  out  to  be  com- 
posed of  the  same  rotten  materials." — Holt,  1238. 

*  Holt's  Papers. 


30  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

"  And  whereas,  there  are  several  barracks,  in  several  places 
in  His  Majesty's  said  dominions  in  America;  or  some  of  them, 
provided  by  the  Colonies  for  lodging  of  soldiers,  in  view  of 
quarters;  for  the  ease  and  conveniency,  as  well  of  the  inha- 
bitants in  such  Colonies,  as  of  the  soldiers  so  put  out,  and 
placed  in  such  barracks,  or  in  hired,  or  uninhabited  houses, 
out  houses,  barns,  and  other  buildings.  They  shall  be  from 
time  to  time  furnished  and  supplied  there,  by  the  persons  to 
be  authorized  and  appointed  for  that  purpose,  by  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council  of  each  respective  province;  or  upon 
neglect  or  refusal  of  such  Governor  and  Council,  in  any  pro- 
vince; then  by  two  justices  of  the  peace,  residing  in  or  near 
such  places,  with  candles,  fire,  vinegar,  salt,  bedding,  and 
utensils  for  cooking  their  victuals,  and  small  beer,  or  cider, 
not  exceeding  five  pints,  or  half  a  pint  of  rum,  mixed  with  a 
quart  of  water,  to  each  man,  without  paying  therefor, 

Be  it  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  the  respec- 
tive provinces  shall  pay  unto  such  persons,  &c."# 

The  more  sagacious  of  the  opposition  viewed  this  law,  as 
it  was,  an  incipient  step  towards  establishing  a  standing 
army  in  the  Colonies,  to  overawe  the  people,  and  enforce 
obedience  to  the  acts  of  the  Ministry.  And  the  more  re- 
solved and  intrepid  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  banded  themselves 
to  resist  compliance  with  its  mandates  ;  the  ostensible  rea- 
sons of  which,  were  for  the  preservation  of  the  public 
property,  and  the  protection  of  the  citizens  from  the  violence 
of  popular  tumults. 

Requisitions  f  had  been  made  upon  the  Assembly  by  the 
Lieutenant  Governor,  for  supplies  under  the  act,  and  a 
committee,  was  raised  to  take  them  into  consideration,  and 
the  House,  nem.  con.,  passed  the  following  resolves  of  their 
Committee. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that 
when  his  Majesty's  forces   are  quartered  in  barracks  be- 

*Holt's  Papers, 
t  Holt's  Papers,  and  Journal  of  the  Assembly. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  31 

longing  to  the  King,  they  are  always  furnished  with  the 
necessaries  required  to  be  provided  by  the  aforementioned 
act,  without  any  expense  to  the  counties  in  which  they  are 
quartered  ;  and  therefore 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee, 
that  as  there  are  barracks  belonging  to  his  Majesty  in  this 
city,  and  in  the  city  of  Albany,  sufficient  to  accommodate 
double  the  number  of  forces  contained  in  the  return  laid  be- 
fore the  General  Assembly  ;  the  application  to  them,  appears 
altogether  unnecessary  at  present. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee, 
that  if  any  should  be  necessary  for  quartering  troops  on  their 
march,  and  supplying  them  with  what  is  required  by  the 
aforesaid  act,  the  House  ought  to  consider  thereof,  after  the 
expense  is  incurred. 

These  requisitions  were  extremely  unpalatable  to  the  As- 
sembly, who  were  unwilling  to  establish  a  precedent  for  an 
object  so  palpably  designed  to  strengthen  the  arm  of  the 
Government,  at  the  expense  of  the  Colonies.  They  informed 
the  Governor,  that  there  was  a  sum  at  his  disposal  of  certain 
appropriations  of  1762  :  and  that  they  were  willing  a 
part  of  this  should  be  used  for  the  supply  of  two  battalions 
and  one  company  of  artillery,  for  one  year  ;  excluding  the 
salt,  vinegar,  and  liquors,  required  by  the  act,  as  unusual. 

The  Governor  was  displeased  with  this  limitation  of  the 
required  supply;  but  he  consented  to  receive  it,  risking  the 
hazard  of  the  royal  negative  to  the  act  :  And  in  his 
despatches  to  the  Minister,  he  informed  him  that  the  grati- 
tude of  the  Colonists  had  not  been  commensurate  with  the 
signal  marks  of  favor  bestowed  upon  them;  and  that  what 
had  been  granted,  had  been  rather  extorted  from  their  fears, 
than  yielded  by  their  loyalty.  His  Excellency  also  laid  be- 
fore the  Assembly  his  Majesty's  commands,  that  the  da- 
mages inflicted  upon  the  property  of  his  officers  by  the 
rioters,  should  be  paid  for.  But  the  Committee  reported, 
that  so  far    as  Lieut.  Governor  Colden  was  concerned,  he 


32  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

had  suffered  only  through  his  own  misconduct,  and  they 
refused  payment.  The  Committee*  had  also  in  charge  the 
claims  of  Major  James,  whose  property  had  suffered  on  the 
same  occasion,  and  reported  in  favor  of  granting  compen- 
sation to  him.  This  invidious  distinction  could  not  be 
gratifying  to  the  already  incensed  Lieut.  Governor,  and  he 
loudly,  and  with  reason,  complained  of  the  injustice. 

The  discomfiture  of  the  Ministry  could  not  fail  to  be 
galling  to  the  officers  of  the  crown:  and  though  the  Go- 
vernor, and  the  more  discreet,  dissembled  their  disgust,  yet 
there  were  not  wanting  many  who  took  little  pains  to 
conceal  their  dissatisfaction.  The  soldiers,  probably  aware 
of  the  secret  feelings  of  their  officers,  were  not  backward 
in  exhibiting,  on  all  occasions,  their  hostility  to  the  popu- 
lace, and  to  display  the  usual  insolence  of  the  military 
character.  Chafed  by  the  unrestrained  joy  of  the  colonists, 
and  perhaps  provoked  by  some  exuberant  display  of  the 
triumph  they  had  achieved,  some  soldiers  of  the  28th  regi- 
ment, quartered  in  the  barracks,  on  the  10th  of  August,  cut 
down  the  flag  staff,f  the  raising  of  which  had  been  effected 
with  so  much  harmony,  and  under  such  auspicious  circum- 
stances. The  evening  of  the  next  day,  the  people  peaceably 
assembled  to  reinstate  their  standard.  In  this  they  wTere  in- 
terrupted by  the  soldiers  and  brutally  insulted:  the  infuriated 
vassals  of  the  crown  assailing  them  with  drawn  bayonets;  and 
as  the  unarmed  people  were  retreating,  several  of  the  most 
respectable  of  the  citizens  were  wounded  by  the  weapons  of 
the  assailants.J 

Among  these  were  Isaac  Sears,  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee, and  John  Berrien,  a  prominet  Son  of  Liberty.  Com- 
plaint was  made  of  this  outrage;  and  the  depositions  of 
Theophilus  Hardenbrook  and  Peter  Vandervoort,  were  taken 
before  the  Mayor,  charging  the  soldiers  with  having,  with- 
out provocation,  commenced  the  assault. 

*  Journals  of  the  Assembly,     t  Holt,  1232.     J  Id.  1233. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  33 

As  might  have  been  expected,  the  soldiers  were  counte- 
nanced by  their  superiors;  and  Major  Arthur  Brown,  with 
the  utmost  insolence,  told  the  Mayor  he  would  prove  the 
whole  charge  an  utter  falsehood.  Capt.  Sears  then  made 
oath  to  the  truth  of  the  affidavit,  and  it  was  farther  corrobo- 
rated by  the  oaths  of  John  Berrien,  Jun'r,  Cornelius  Berrien, 
Philip  Will,  and  Ephraim  Brasher.  The  flag-staff  was  again 
erected,  and  the  military,  probably  restrained  by  the  orders 
of  the  Governor,  left  it  to  stand  unmolested. 

For  a  while,  this  eye-sore  to  the  King's  officers  remained 
undisturbed;  most  likely  because  no  popular  meetings  oc- 
curred; but  on  the  23d  of  September*  it  was  again  prostrated, 
and  two  days  afterwards  restored  by  the  people,  without  any 
outbreak  of  military  insolence. 

The  Governor  was  not  satisfied  with  the  recusancy  of  the 
Assembly,  in  not  yielding  full  compliance  with  the  Mutiny 
Act;  and  was  desirous  of  bringing  them  into  more  liberal 
notions  of  their  duty  of  obedience  to  the  King's  rescript.  The 
bad  conduct  of  the  soldiers,  subsisting  upon  the  extorted 
bounty  of  the  people,  could  not  have  a  favorable  tendency 
towards  the  increase  of  supplies  from  their  representatives; 
and  for  some  time  the  occupants  of  the  barracks  were  re- 
strained from  farther  aggressions.  But  not  all  the  prudence 
and  policy  of  the  Governor,  could  prevent  frequent  ebulitions 
of  suppressed  malignity.  The  houses  of  several  citizens  in 
the  fields  were  forcibly  entered  on  the  23d  October,f  and  on 
the  3d  November,  one  of  the  obnoxious  red-coats  broke  into 
the  dwelling  of  a  peaceable  and  industrious  cartmanj  and  after 
wounding  him  with  his  bayonet,  most  brutally  hamstrung  his 
horse;  depriving  him  of  the  service  of  the  animal,  whose 
labor  was  absolutely  necessary  to  the  support  of  his  family. 
It  does  not  appear  that  this  atrocious  act  was  followed  by 
any  judicial  investigation;    and  it  only  produced   renewed 

*Holt,   1238.  tHolt.   1242. 

J  Idem,  1244. 


34  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

notices  of  the  regulations  against  furnishing  sentinels  on  duty 
with  liquor. 

The  Assembly  had  been  prorogued  to  the  7th  of  October, 
and  afterwards  to  the  6th  of  November;  and  shortly  after 
the  meeting  the  Governor,  on  the  17th  of  November,  com- 
municated to  that  body  the  negative  of  the  King  to  the  bill 
of  supply  for  the  troops,  and  Lord  Shelburne's  instructions, 
which  contained  this  emphatic  admonition:  "  I  am  ordered 
to  signify  to  you  at  the  same  time,  that  it  is  the  indispensa- 
ble duty  of  his  subjects  in  America,  to  obey  the  acts  of  the 
Legislature  of  Great  Britain.  The  King  both  expects,  and 
requires,  a  due  and  cheerful  obedience  to  the  same;  and  it 
can  not  be  doubted  that  his  Majesty's  province  of  New  York, 
after  the  lenity  of  Great  Britain  so  recently  extended  to 
America,"  &c.  And  the  Governor  farther  enforces  the 
Minister's  letter  in  the  following  language:  "  I  flatter  my- 
self that  on  a  due  consideration  of  this  letter,  no  difficulties 
can  properly  arise,  or  the  least  objection  be  made,  to  the 
provision  for  the  troops,  as  required  by  the  act  of  Parlia- 
ment."* 

On  the  15th  December,  the  Assembly,  by  William  Nichol 
their  speaker,  answered  the  Governor's  requisition,  and  set 
up  a  construction  of  the  law  somewhat  extraordinary  for  a 
statute  so  explicitly  worded.  They  respectfully  represent, 
that  they  understand  that  part  of  the  law,  only  applicable  to 
soldiers  on  "  the  march:"  that  they  have  contributed  to  the 
supply  of  two  battalions  and  one  company  of  artillery,  a 
greater  burthen  than  had  been  sustained  by  any  other  colony: 
"  That  they  are  willing  to  support  his  Majesty's  government, 
as  is  most  suitable  to  the  circumstances  of  the  people  they 
represent."  And,  in  conclusion,  say  "  that  we  can  not  con- 
sent with  our  duty  to  our  constituents,  to  put  it  in  the  power 
of  any  person,  (whatever  confidence  we  may  have  in  his  pru- 
dence and  integrity),  to  lay  such  burthens  on  them."f 

*  Holt,  1247.  f  Journals  of  the  Assembly. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  35 

This  was  a  bold  attitude  assumed  by  the  Assembly,  which 
was  followed  by  important  movements  of  the  Mother  Coun- 
try. In  the  original  draft  of  the  answer,  there  were  some  ex- 
pressions still  more  repulsive  to  the  feelings  of  royalty,  than 
those  afterwards  adopted;  but  Sir  Henry  Moore,  who  seems  to 
have  been  really  desirous  of  avoiding  collision  with  the  Co- 
lonies, took  the  trouble  of  waiting  upon  the  House,  who  were 
then  sitting  out  of  town,  in  consequence  of  the  prevalence  of 
the  small  pox  in  the  city,  and  procured  an  alteration  of  the 
objectionable  passages.*  Soon  after  this  address  of  the  House 
they  were  prorogued  by  the  Governor.  The  Sons  of  Liberty 
had  dissolved  their  association  on  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp 
Act;  but  the  old  leaders  were  on  the  alert  on  all  occasions, 
and  vigilantly  watching  the  movements  of  the  Ministerialists. 
It  is  to  be  presumed  that  their  spirit  infused  itself  into  this 
patriotic  assembly,  and  encouraged  it  to  take  the  stand  of  in- 
dependence which  characterized  their  address.  The  agent  of 
the  association  in  London  was  Nicholas  Ray,  with  whom  the 
following  correspondence  took  place  : 

London,  28  July,  1766. 
Gentlemen : 

I  flattered  myself  to  have  heard  from  you  by  the  last  ships, 
but  am  informed  your  society  is  dissolved,  which  I  am  glad 
to  hear,  as  the  cause  of  your  complaint  is  removed.  But  I 
think  it  necessary  to  assure  you,  that  the  continual  account 
we  had  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  through  all  North  America, 
had  its  proper  weight  and  effect. 

As  our  gracious  sovereign  rules  over  none  but  free  men, 
and  in  which  he  glories,  it  therefore  can  not  offend  him,  that 
his  numerous  and  faithful  subjects  in  America,  claim  the  ap- 
pellation of  Sons  of  Liberty.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  re- 
commend ten  or  twenty  of  the  principal  of  you,  to  form  your- 
selves into  a  club,  to  meet  once  a  month,  under  the  name  of 
Liberty  Club,  and  forever,  on  the  18th  March,  or  1st  May, 
give  notice  to  the  whole  body  to  commemorate  your  deliver- 
ance; spending  the  day  in  festivity  and  joy.     I  beg  pardon 

*  Holt's  papers. 


36  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

for  taking  the  liberty  to  advise  you,  but  I  am  firmly  of  opinion, 
that  it  will  have  such  effect  as  you  wish. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Gent'n, 

Your  most  humble  ser'vt, 

Nich's  Ray. 
P.  S.  The  commercial  acts  and  free  ports,  which  we  lately 
sent  to  all  the  Colonies,  I  believe  will  give  you  pleasure. 
To  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  York. 

The  following  letter  was  written  in  reply  : 

New  York,  10th  October,  1766. 
Mr.  Nicholas  Ray,  Sir  : 

Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  28th  July  last,  we  have  duly 
received,  and  observe  with  the  greatest  regret,  your  disap- 
pointment at  not  hearing  from  us  agreeably  to  your  expec- 
tations; which,  permit  us  to  assure  you,  was  not  owing  to 
any  remissness  on  our  part,  or  want  of  respect,  but  to  the 
dissolution  of  our  society,  which  happened  immediately  upon 
the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act. 

Your  proposal  with  regard  to  a  number  of  us  forming 
ourselves  into  a  club,  we  have  already  had  under  considera- 
tion; but  as  it  is  imagined  that  some  inconveniences  would 
arise  should  such  a  club  be  established,  just  at  this  time,  we 
must  postpone  the  same,  till  it  may  appear  more  eligible. 
At  the  same  time  we  take  the  liberty  to  assure  you  and  all 
our  good  friends  on  your  side  of  the  water,  who  so  nobly 
exerted  themselves  in  behalf  of  us,  and  the  expiring  liberty 
of  their  country,  that  we  still  do,  and  ever  shall,  retain  the 
most  grateful  sense  of  the  favors  we  have  received;  and  that 
we  shall  use  our  utmost  endeavors,  consistent  with  loyalty, 
to  keep  up  that  glorious  spirit  of  liberty  which  was  so  rapidly 
and  so  generally  kindled,  throughout  this  extensive  continent. 
In  order  to  which,  we  shall  not  fail,  hereafter,  to  celebrate 
the  anniversary  of  the  repeal,  with  every  demonstration  of 
gratitude  and  joy,  on  the  memorable  and  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten, eighteenth  day  of  March. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  behalf  of  the  Sons  Liberty, 
Sir — Your  most  Obedient  and 

Oblig'd  Hum.  Servants, 
Isaac  Sears,  John  Lamb, 

Edward  Laight,       Chas.  Nicoll, 
Flores  Bancker,     Joseph  Allicoke. 

To  Mr  Nicholas  Ray,  Merchant,  London.* 

*  Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  37 

The  organization  of  the  committee,  as  proposed  in  Mr. 
Ray's  letter,  was  for  a  while  postponed;  but  before  the  first 
anniversary  of  the  repeal,  the  old  leaders  of  the  association, 
who  had  so  well  performed  their  duty,  banded  themselves 
for  the  same  patriotic  purposes;  and  all  continued  firm  and 
vigorous  in  the  cause,  until  the  final  overthrow  of  the  regal 
power.  On  the  first  anniversary  of  the  repeal,  the  people 
met  at  the  Liberty  Pole,  to  celebrate  their  triumph  with  the 
usual  festivities;  and  at  the  appointed  hour,  on  the  18th 
March,  they  collected  at  Bardin's,  to  dine  and  drink  their 
usual  toasts.  These  were  high  seasoned  with  loyalty,  and 
could  not  justly  have  given  any  offence;  but  such  manifest- 
ations of  victory  were  becoming  exceedingly  unpleasant  to 
the  King's  officers,  and  the  soldiers  could  not  endure  the  sight 
of  processions  to  commemorate  their  monarch's  defeat,  al- 
though they  were  ostensibly  ordered,  to  perpetuate  his  honor 
and  glory.  They  assembled  in  the  night,  and  cut  down  the 
obnoxious  symbol.*  The  people,  the  next  day,  erected 
another,  secured  with  iron  bands,  and  better  adapted  to  re- 
sist the  assaults  of  its  enemies;!  these  were  repeated  at  night, 
without  success.  On  the  next  night,  the  20th,  they  made 
an  attempt  to  blow  it  up  with  gun  powder,  and  this  too, 
failed.  The  patriots  now  resolving  to  guard  their  flag  staff, 
set  a  strong  watch  for  its  protection,  and  when  the  soldiers 
again  assembled  to  carry  their  designs  into  execution,  they 
found  the  pole  too  formidably  defended,  and  retreated  in  dis- 
comfiture.J  The  next  night,  a  party  marched  with  loaded 
muskets,  to  the  flag  staff,  and  facing  towards  the  house  at 
which  the  meeting  had  been  held,  they  fired  a  volley  in  that 
direction.  Two  balls  took  effect  in  the  building;  one  passed  * 
through  it,  and  another  lodged  in  the  timber.  This  daring 
outrage,  probably,  was  not  encouraged  by  their  commanders, 
for  upon  making  another  attempt  upon  the  Liberty  Pole,  on 
the  22d,  the  succeeding  night,  they  were  interrupted  by  an 
officer,  and  ordered  to  desist. 

*  Holt's  papers.         fldem.         J  Idem. 


38  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Preparations  to  enforce  the  Mutiny  Act. — Assembly  yield  a  farther  Sup- 
ply.— Provide  for  a  part  of  the  Damages  of  Nov.  '65. — Deprived  of 
their  Privileges  by  the  King. — Commissioners  of  Customs  appointed. — 
Tariffof  Duties  on  Tea,  #c. — New  Assembly. — Address  Parliament  for 

Restoration. — Dissatisfaction   with    the   Imposts. Non-importation 

League  revived. — Massachusetts  Circular. — The  King  forbids  the 
Reading. — The  House  Remonstrates. — Massachusetts  refuses  Compli- 
ance with  the  Mutiny  Act. — Boston  invested. — Governor  demands 
farther  Supplies. — Non-importation  League  rigidly  enforced. — Rumors 
of  the  Repeal  of  the  Duties. — Governor  Moore  dies. — Celebration  of 
the  first  Nov.  1769. — Gov.  C olden  not  noticed. 

The  Parliament  had  been  defeated  in  its  first  effort  to 
establish  the  great  system  of  colonial  taxation;  and  probably 
from  inability  to  enforce  it,  for  the  want  of  a  sufficient  mili- 
tary force  in  the  Colonies  or  alarmed  by  the  accession  of 
the  Canadian  and  Nova  Scotian,  and  even  some  of  their 
insular  provinces,  had  consented  to  retrace  its  steps,  and 
rescind  the  law.  But  the  retrogade  movement  was  only  to 
assume  a  safer  and  more  tenable  position.  The  obnoxious 
stamp  bill  was  indeed  repealed,  but  the  declaratory  Act, 
claimed  the  Americans  as  "  born  thralls"  of  the  Crown;  and 
though  the  visible  "  collar  "  of  serfdom  was  removed  by  the 
repeal,  the  Minister  was  determined  to  fetter  the  Colonies,  in 
a  manner  less  palpable  to  the  senses  of  the  multitude.  De- 
termined that  his  next  attempt  should  not  fail  for  the  want  of 
sufficient  support,  he  resolved  to  enforce  the  Mutiny  bill,  in 
order  to  establish  an  adequate  military  force  throughout  the 
Colonies.  In  the  other  provinces,  and  partially  in  New 
York,  the  scheme  had  succeeded;  but  the  sturdy  Bostonians 
had  resisted  the  insidious  and  dangerous  encroachment.  The 
qualified  assent  of  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  was  not  agree- 
able to  the  popular  party,  and  the  old  leaders  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty,  arrayed  themselves  against  it:  yet,  weakened  by  the 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  39 

defection  of  many  who  had  manfully  resisted  the  Stamp  Act, 
they  were  compelled  to  proceed  with  great  circumspection. 
Although  the  Mutiny  bill,  was  in  its  tendency  more  alarming 
than  the  obnoxious  law  which  had  been  resisted  with  so 
much  unanimity,  and  was  followed  by  other  measures,  ob- 
viously incipient  to  a  forcible  execution  of  the  arbitrary  views 
of  the  ministry,  it  did  not  create  the  same  united  resistance; 
and  the  great  bond  of  union  was  essentially  weakened.  Still 
there  was  no  relaxation  on  the  part  of  their  leaders  to  keep 
alive  the  spirit  of  the  people;  and  the  fruits  of  these  energies 
was  the  bold  answer  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  to  the  Go- 
vernor's message,  notwithstanding  it  was  backed  by  the 
formidable  rescript  of  the  King.  News  had  arrived  of  ex- 
tensive military  preparations,  and  the  British  prints  were 
filled  with  the  indignation  of  the  ministerial  writers  at  the 
recusancy  of  this  highly  favored  colony;  and  with  threats  of 
the  meditated  vengeance  of  an  angered  sovereign. 

The  Assembly  became  alarmed,  and  notwithstanding  every 
effort  was  made  to  keep  them  firm  in  their  resolves,  on  the 
3d  June  they  yielded  a  farther  compliance,  and  appropriated 
three  thousand  five  hundred  pounds,  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  troops  for  the  preceding;  and  a  further  supply  of  three 
thousand  pounds  for  the  current  year:  and  also  granted  an 
appropriation,  to  indemnify  the  agent  of  Major  James,  for 
damages  sustained  in  the  outbreak  of  November  1765.  The 
threatened  blow  was  not  averted  by  this  partial  submission. 
The  Governors  of  the  Colonies  were  ordered  to  prohibit  the 
assembling  of  any  Congress  similar  to  that  of  October  '65: 
and  the  colony  of  New  York,  notwithstanding  they  had  been 
far  more  compliant  with  the  demands  of  the  Government 
than  the  province  of  Massachusetts,  was  heavily  visited  with 
the  vengeance  of  the  Parliament.  The  functions  of  its  As- 
sembly, on  the  29th  June  were  declared  to  be  abrogated;  and 
the  Governor  and  Council  were  inhibited  from  assenting  to 
any  acts  of  the  House,  until  the  Mutiny  Act  was  unequivo- 
cally acknowledged  and  submitted  to. 


40  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

This  high  handed  stretch  of  power  was  every  where  re- 
ceived with  indignation  and  alarm.  The  people  of  Boston 
were  loud  in  denunciation  of  it,  and  in  the  expression  of  their 
sympathy  for  their  bretheren  of  New  York,  suffering  under 
Ministerial  tyranny,  and  both  parties  seemed  preparing  for 
the  approaching  contest.  The  time  was  fast  approaching 
when  the  Assembly  was  to  expire,  by  its  septennial  limita- 
tion, and  after  granting  a  further  supply  of  fifteen  hundred 
pounds,  for  the  support  of  the  troops,  the  Governor,  on  the 
11th  February,  1768,  in  form,  dissolved  them.  With  the  act 
to  humble  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  came  others  of  a  more 
general  character.  These  were,  "  To  establish  Commission- 
ers of  the  Customs  in  America;"  "  To  compensate  the  stamp 
officers,  who  had  been  deprived  by  the  people;"  "  A  tariff  of 
duties  upon  various  articles  of  the  first  necessity,  with  an  act, 
taking  off  the  duty  on  tea  consumed  in  England,  and  im- 
posing a  duty  on  that  brought  into  America;"  and  to  en- 
courage the  East  India  Company  to  crowd  their  commodities 
into  the  colonial  market,  a  drawback  was  granted,  upon  the 
exportation  from  the  mother  country,  to  the  American  pro- 
vinces. The  colonists  of  Massachusetts  were  the  first  to  raise 
the  cry  against  the  newly  imposed  duties,  and  recommended 
the  revival  of  the  non-intercourse  league.  They  had  flatly 
refused  compliance  with  the  Mutiny  Bill,  and  recommended 
to  their  sister  colonies  to  follow  their  example.  The  patriotic 
ladies,  determined  to  relinquish  their  favorite  beverage,  and 
entered  into  associations  to  discourage  the  consumption  of 
tea. 

Writs  for  the  election  of  a  new  Assembly  were  issued,  and 
while  the  canvass  was  proceeding,  the  newspapers  were  busy 
in  decrying  the  system  of  open  voting,  and  recommended 
another  mode,  better  adapted  to  secure  the  independence  of 
the  electors.  Complaint  was  made  of  the  practice  of  self  no- 
minations and  of  soliciting  votes,  with  its  usual  concomitants. 
Much  murmuring  was  heard,  as  it  has  since  been  in  latter 
times,  against  the  preponderance  of  representatives  of  the 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  41 

legal  profession  in  our  Legislatures,  and  labored  articles,  pro 
and  con,  were  circulated.* 

The  merchants  carried  it,  and  Isaac  Low,  John  Cruger, 
John  Alsop,  and  James  Delancey  were,  elected,  who  each 
gave  fifty  pounds  to  the  poor  of  the  city.f 

But  the  chief  efforts  were  directed,  to  enlighten  the  people 
in  regard  to  the  true  effect  of  the  acts  of  the  Ministry,  and  to 
warn  them  against  their  future  designs.  The  English  pa- 
pers were  crowded  with  labored  defences  of  their  Government, 
and  loud  in  decrying  the  parricidal  operations  of  the  Colonists. 

On  the  other  hand,  equal  ability  and  industry  were  exhi- 
bited in  confuting  the  ministerial  sophistry,  and  in  setting  the 
matter  before  the  people  in  its  proper  light.  The  farmers' 
letters  had  helped  to  dissipate  the  mystification  of  some  of 
the  writers,  who,  although  they  admitted  the  impolicy  of 
open  taxation,  claimed  the  right  to  impoverish  the  pro- 
vinces by  indirect  impositions;  and  other  publications  were 
assidiously  exposing  the  fallacy  of  the  arguments,  used  by 

*A  Card. — Jack  Bowline  and  Tom  Hatchway,  send  their  services, 
(damn  compliments)  to  the  freeholders  and  freemen  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  beg  they  would,  in  order  to  try  how  the  land  lies,  take  an  ob- 
servation, and  they  will  find :  First,  that  the  good  people  of  this  city  are 
supported  by  trade,  and  the  merchants :  Second,  that  the  lawyers  are  sup- 
ported by  the  people. 

Ship  Defiance,  Feb'y  20,  1768. 

Reply.  A  Card. — Mr.  Axe  and  Mr.  Hammer,  being  selected  by  a 
number  of  their  brother  freeholders  and  freemen  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
to  return  their  hearty  thanks  to  their  good  friends,  Mr.  Hatchway  and 
Mr.  Bowline,  have  consented ;  and  think  proper  to  do  it  in  this  public  man- 
ner, and  to  assure  them  that  the  "  leather  aprons,"  (a  very  respectable 
body)  are  clearly  of  their  opinion;  that  it  is  trade  and  not  law,  that  sup- 
ports our  families.  And  honest  Jack  Jolt,  the  cartman,  says  he  never 
got  six  pence  for  riding  law  books,  though  he  gets  many  pounds  from 
the  Merchants.  So  with  many  thanks  for  your  sensible  good  card;  we 
say  as  you  say,  "  No  lawyers  to  the  Assembly." 

Tradesmen's  Hall,  Feb.  29,  1768. 

f  John  Lamb,  Isaac  Sears,  and  Ezekiel  Williams  supported  this  ticket. 
Lamb  was  probably  the  author  of  the  card.  Vide  handbills,  Historical 
Society. 

6 


42  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  defenders  of  the  crown,  and  expounding  the  true  mean- 
ing of  their  writings  to  the  people. 

The  new  Assembly  was  now  chosen,  and  preparatory  to 
their  meeting,  the  popular  writers  addressed  them  in  their 
usual  style  of  boldness;  reminding  them  of  the  grievances  of 
the  people,  and  the  duty  of  their  representatives  to  adhere 
with  firmness  against  the  coercive  measures  of  the  Minister. 
The  House,  on  assembling,  addressed  petitions  to  the  Parlia- 
ment, and  claimed  exemption  from  the  authority  of  the 
crown,  exercised  in  any  other  form  than  that  of  prorogation. 
The  appeals  of  the  citizens  were  not  without  effect  on  the 
Assembly,  and  were  responded  to,  by  the  greater  part  of  the 
community  with  much  patriotism.  The  merchants  and  tra- 
ders, resorted  to  the  same  artillery  which  had  proved  so  formi- 
dable, in  compelling  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act.  They 
renewed,  in  its  fullest  extent,  the  non-importation  league  of 
1765,  and  the  tradesmen  of  the  city,  gave  ardent  and  active 
cooperation,  with  the  importers  and  dealers.  They  engaged 
not  to  purchase  any  articles  of  a  foreign  importation  what- 
ever, and  to  discourage  others  from  buying  of  those  who 
should  infringe  the  patriotic  league. 

Gen.  Gage,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  forces,  had  con- 
tinued to  hold  his  head  quarters  in  New  York.  He  had  re- 
cently returned  from  a  tour  of  inspection  and  observation  in 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey;  and,  with  all  his  staff,  pre- 
pared to  visit  the  eastern  colonies  upon  the  same  mission. 
Upon  his  arrival  at  Boston,  he  was  received  with  marked 
respect.  The  conciliatory  course  pursued  by  that  gentleman 
in  New  York,  three  years  before,  was  remembered  to  his  ad- 
vantage; and  in  the  addresses  which  were  made  to  him,  he 
was  assured  of  the  high  respect  of  the  citizens  for  him,  and 
of  their  great  regard  for  the  mother  country.  The  General 
received  their  expressions  of  respect  and  zeal  with  com- 
plaisancy;  and  the  public  were  soon  afterwards  informed  of 
the  expected  arrival  of  two  regiments  from  Halifax,  de- 
spatched for  their  especial  benefit. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  43 

The  Assembly  of  Massachusetts  had  written  a  circular  let- 
ter to  the  legislatures  of  the  other  colonies,  announcing  what 
they  had  done,  and  what  they  farther  intended  to  do.     This 
document  had  met  the  decided  reprobation  of  Lord  Hills- 
borough, the  newly  appointed  Secretary  of  State  for  the 
affairs  of  the  Colonies;   and  he  issued  peremptory  orders  to 
Sir  Henry  Moore,  forbidding  it  to  be  received  and  answered 
by  the  Assembly  of  New  York.     The  Governor  had,  on  the 
3d  November,  rendered  the  accounts  of  the  barrack  master, 
relative  to  the  expenditure  of  money  granted  for  the  supply 
of  the  troops;  vouching  for  the  fidelity  and  economy  of  the 
disbursements,  and  requiring  further  supplies.     He,  on  the 
14th,  transmitted  Lord  Hillsborough's  mandate  against  hold- 
ing any  correspondence  with  other  colonies,  and  called  upon 
the  Legislature  to  yield  compliance.     A  warm  debate  en- 
sued, and  the  House  conceiving  that  their  privileges  were  in- 
fringed, remonstrated  against  the  interference  of  the  Ministry. 
The  Governor  pressed  upon  the  Assembly  the  necessity  of 
strict  obedience,  and  threatened  to  dissolve  them  in  case  of 
resistance. 

The  leaders  of  the  people  sustained  the  House  in  their  re- 
monstrances, and  at  the  same,  time  promulged  their  own 
opinions  of  the  duty  of  the  Legislature,  in  regard  to  the  other 
obnoxious  acts  of  the  Government.  "  Let  these  truths  (say 
they)  be  indelibly  impressed  upon  our  minds,  that  we  can  not 
he  free  without  being  secure  in  our  property;  that  we  can  not 
be  secure  in  our  property,  if  without  our  consent,  others  may, 
as  by  right,  take  it  away;  that  taxes  imposed  by  Parliament 
do  thus  take  it  away;  that  duties,  laid  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
raising  money,  are  taxes;  that  attempts  to  lay  such,  should 
be  instantly  and  firmly  opposed." 

The  people  of  Boston,  who  had  so  generously  sympathized 
with  New  York  upon  the  severe  measures  of  the  Government, 
had  themselves  been  visited  with  similar  inflictions.  On  the 
14th  of  September,  Mr.  Lamb,  one  of  the  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence  for  New  York,   received  a  letter   from  John 


44  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Hancock  and  others,*  select  men  of  Boston,  complaining  of 
the  virtual  dissolution  of  their  Assembly  by  the  refusal  of 
Governor  Bernard  to  order  a  new  election.  This  circular 
recommended  another  convention,  for  purposes  of  consulta- 
tion, and  concentration  of  public  opinion;  and  to  prepare 
the  people  for  ultimate  determination.  The  Assembly  of 
Massachusetts  had  not  provided  for  the  quartering  and  sup- 
ply of  the  troops;  and  the  Governor  was  determined  to  ob- 
viate the  difficulty  occasioned  by  this  neglect;  and  procure 
quarters  and  supplies,  if  any  person  could  be  found  willing 
to  enter  into  contracts  to  that  effect,  and  trust  to  the  appro- 
priations of  a  future  Assembly  for  indemnity.  A  rumor  had 
reached  New  York,  while  the  fleet  destined  for  Boston  was 
hourly  expected,  that  the  citizens,  exasperated  at  the  Go- 
vernor's conduct,  had  risen  en  masse,  taken  possession  of 
Castle  William,  and  driven  the  Governor  and  the  officers  of 
the  crown  on  board  a  frigate  in  the  harbor.  But  these  re- 
ports were  dispelled  by  another,  announcing  the  arrival  of  the 
expected  armament. 

The  ships  were  brought  up,  and  ranged  opposite  to  the 
town,  with  springs  upon  their  cables;  and  the  troops  were 
disembarked  under  cover  of  the  broadsides  of  the  fleet.  The 
day  was  exceedingly  stormy,  and  one  regiment,  being  un- 
provided with  camp  equipage,  the  Colonel  commanding  it, 
waiving  the  demand  for  quarters,  begged  of  the  magistrates 
permission  to  occupy  some  apartments  in  Faneuil  Hall,  until 
other  quarters  could  be  procured.  This  request  was  humanely 
complied  with;  but  the  officer  was  in  no  haste  to  decamp, 
and  for  some  time  continued  to  occupy  the  Hall,  to  the  great 
discomfort  of  the  magistrates  and  the  citizens. 

The  long  smothered  vengeance  of  an  exasperated  Govern- 
ment, was  now  in  full  flame;  and  the  devoted  Bostonians 
were  made  to  feel  its  utmost  fury.  Their  brethren  of  New 
York  repaid  their  former  sympathy  with  interest,  and  ex- 

*Lamb  Papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  45 

pressed  the  deepest  commisseration  for  their  sufferings,  and 
what  was  more  effectual,  gave  them  the  strongest  assurances 
of  their  vigorous  support.  And  to  show  that  their  reproba- 
tion of  the  exercise  of  arbitrary  power  in  other  colonies, 
kept  pace  with  the  determined  hostility  to  their  own  perse- 
cutors at  home,  they  burned  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts, 
and  his  Bostonian  sheriff,  in  effigy. 

Governor  Moore,  in  his  address  of  April  April  4,  1769,  to 
the  Assembly,  communicated  to  them,  that  the  appropriation 
for  the  troops  of  the  last  session,  had  been  expended  in  the 
payment  of  large  arrearages  which  had  accumulated;  and  re- 
quired a  farther  grant  for  the  supply  of  the  forces.  The 
Assembly  replied,  by  setting  forth  the  grievous  burthens 
already  borne,  and  remonstrating  against  farther  impositions. 
They  complained  of  the  suspension  of  their  legislative  func- 
tions, and  of  the  impost  duties  raised  for  mere  revenue  in  the 
Colonies,  as  unjust  and  oppressive.  These  remonstrances 
had  little  weight  in  extending  their  privileges,  or  in  establish- 
ing their  rights;  for  the  Governor,  on  the  13th  April,  fol- 
lowed his  first  message  with  another,  complaining  that  the 
Assembly  had  assumed  the  right  to  appoint  a  colonial  agent 
at  London;  and  called  upon  them  to  return  to  the  former  and 
more  legitimate  mode  of  appointment  by  the  Governor  and 
Council,  the  House  concurring:  citing  the  example  of  other 
colonies  as  worthy  of  imitation.  The  House  assured  his  Ex- 
cellency that  it  gave  them  much  pain  to  differ  from  his 
opinion  in  this  respect;  and  resolved  to  hold  this,  with  other 
important  matters,  subjects  of  serious  counsideration. 

While  the  Eastern  colonies,  and  New  York,  had  revived 
their  non-importation  agreements,  Pennsylvania  had  resorted 
to  petitions  and  remonstrances.  Most  likely  the  coercive 
method  had  had  the  greatest  effect  on  the  Ministry;  but  it 
was  given  out  that  these  powerful  pacific  appeals,  had 
wrought  some  change  in  the  colonial  system;  and  that  a  re- 
peal of  the  impost  act  would  probably  follow.  Whether  it 
was  at  this  time,  the  serious  design  of  the  government  to  re- 


46  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

lax,  or  whether  the  rumor  was  given  out  to  weaken  the 
bonds  of  the  non-importationists,  can  not  now  be  known.  If 
with  the  latter  intention,  it  was  not  without  its  effect;  for 
notwithstanding  the  redoubled  vigilance  of  the  committee  of 
New  York,  to  keep  the  league  unimpaired,  many  infringed, 
and  were  called  to  a  public  confession,  and  declarations  of 
contrition  for  past  offences.  On  the  21st  April,  as  a  more 
effectual  method  of  detecting  transgressions,  the  board  of 
New  York  appointed  a  sub-committee  to  examine  the  mani- 
fests of  every  vessel  arriving  from  abroad,  in  order  to  dis- 
cover and  punish  the  offenders. 

The  Assembly  with  great  reluctance,  granted  on  the  20th 
May,  fifteen  hundred  pounds  to  support  the  troops,  and  were 
prorogued  to  7th  July,  and  afterwards  to  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember. 

The  rumors  of  repeal  began  to  gain  ground;  and  on  the 
27th  July,  it  was  reported  that  the  Governor  had  been  notified 
by  Ministers  of  such  an  intention.  The  correspondent  of  the 
committee  in  London,  however,  cautioned  them  not  to  place 
too  much  reliance  upon  the  report,  or  too  much  confidence  in 
Ministerial  promises.  The  Assembly  were  now,  probably 
in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  Go- 
vernor, farther  prorogued  by  proclamation,  to  the  tenth  of 
October;  but  before  that  period  arrived,  the  Governor,  on 
the  11th  September,  died,  much  lamented  by  the  citizens; 
and  what  rendered  their  grief  more  poignant,  the  reins  of 
power  were  again  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  Lieut.  Governor 
Colden.  The  non-importation  committee  continued  to  exert 
themselves  with  the  utmost  vigilance,  and  the  people  were 
not  backward  in  sustaining  them  in  their  labors.  To  make 
the  league  more  effectual  against  the  mother  country,  they 
set  their  faces  against  all  who,  directly  or  indirectly,  sup- 
ported the  customs,  and  the  officers  appointed  to  collect  them. 
Two  very  obnoxious  informers  had  procured  a  small  adven- 
ture of  wine,  the  hard  earnings  of  a  worthy  son  of  Neptune, 
to  be  seized  for  a  breach  of  the  Custom  House  regulations. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  47 

The  sympathies  of  the  people  were  so  strongly  excited  for 
the  sufferer  that,  taking  the  matter  into  their  own  hands, 
they  revived  a  mode  of  punishment  in  vogue  during  the  days 
of  the  Crusaders,  and,  on  the  30th  September,  administered  a 
coat  of  tar  and  feathers  to  the  delinquents. 

The  indications  of  a  change  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the 
benignity  of  the  King,  and  the  fidelity  of  Lord  Chatham  to 
the  rights  of  the  Colonies,  had  been  exhibited  in  some  of  the 
celebrations  of  the  18th  March;  and  now  began  more  fully 
to  display  themselves.  The  radicals,  headed  by  Lamb,  Sears 
and  others,  took  more  extended  views  of  the  intent  and  effect 
of  the  repeal;  and  all  who  had  studied  the  declaratory  act 
with  sagacity,  seemed  to  be  returning  to  first  principles. 
These  took  an  earlier  epoch  as  the  true  era  of  emancipation, 
and  established  a  political  platform  which  formed  the  nucleus 
of  opposition,  and  a  rallying  point  in  future  emergencies. 
The  first  of  November  1765,  was  as  important  in  the  annals 
of  the  patriots  of  the  colonies,  as  that  of  the  taking  of  the 
Bastile  to  revolutionary  France.  Its  anniversary  had  now 
arrived,  and  the  Committee  resolved  to  celebrate  it,  with  the 
proper  solemnities.  The  toasts  drank  on  that  occasion  did 
not  embody  the  usual  quantum  of  loyalty  and  devotion  to  the 
House  of  Hanover,  and  reverence  for  the  memory  of  Pitt, 
which  distinguished  the  repeal  celebrations.  Lord  Chatham 
was  dropped,  and  the  temper  of  the  whole  proceedings  sig- 
nificantly indicate  the  feelings  of  the  people,  which  were 
afterwards  more  pointedly  exhibited. 

A  few  of  the  toasts,  as  specimens  of  that  temper,  are  wor- 
thy of  being  remembered. 

1.  May  the  North  American  Colonies,  fully  enjoy  the 
British  Constitution. 

2.  The  King,  as  the  faithful  executor  of  the  aforesaid. 

3.  His  honest  counsellors. 

5.  The  great  and  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  as 
first  promoters  of  the  Congress  of  1765. 

6.  The  major  part  of  the  aforesaid  Congress. 


48  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

7.  The  patriotic  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia. 

9.  All  the  Houses  of  Assembly  on  the  continent,  who 
have  nobly  opposed  arbitrary  power. 

12.  May  the  last  resolutions  of  the  great  and  General 
Court  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  the  Commons  House  of 
Assembly  of  South  Carolina,  in  not  granting  supplies  to  His 
Majesty's  troops,  be  universally  adopted  in  North  America. 

No  notice  was  taken  of  Lieut. -Governor  Colden;  and  it 
was  very  apparent  that  he  had  not  gained  popularity  by  con- 
trast with  the  lamented  Governor  Moore.* 

*  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


49 


CHAPTER  IV. 

New  Assembly  meet.— Governor  Colden  gives  Hopes  of  the  Repeal  of 
the  Duties,— Demands  further  Supplies.— Recommends  issue  of  Bills  of 
Credit.— House  pass  the  Bill.— Full  compliance  with  the  Mutiny  Act.— 
Alarm  of  the  People.— Great  Meeting  in  the  Fields.— Assembly  denoun- 
ces as  Libels  the  Papers  calling  the  Meeting.— Lamb  ordered  to  the  Bar 
of  the  House.— Examined  and  dismissed.— Insolence  of  the  Military.— 
Interfere  to  prevent  the  Enforcement  of  the  Non-importation  League.— 
Liberty  Pole  assailed —Montangnie's  House  forced.— Fourth  Liberty 
Pole  destroyed.— Meeting  of  the  Citizens,— Riotous  proceedings  of  the 
Soldiery.— Battle  of  Golden  Hill— and  before  the  new  Jail.— Corporation 
reject  Petition  for  Permission  to  re-erect  the  Pole.— A  piece  of  ground 
purchased.— Fifth  Liberty  Pole  erected. 

On  the  22d  Nov.  1769,  the  Assembly  were  in  session,  and 
had  received  the  announcement  of  the  probable  repeal  of 
some  of  the  onerous  imposts.  They  were  informed  that  the 
appropriations  for  the  troops  had  been  expended  and  large 
debts  incurred  beyond  the  supply,  and  the  Governor  de- 
manded a  farther  subsidy,  To  this  unpleasant  intimation, 
the  House  for  that  time  made  no  answer.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  an  ominous  conjunction  appeared  between 
the  head  of  the  powerful  and  influential  family  of  Delancey 
and  the  Governor,  who  had  hitherto  stood  in  direct  opposi- 
tion to  each  other;  and  a  project  was  broached,  which  gave 
much  alarm  to  the  leaders  of  the  popular  party.  This  was 
an  act  for  the  emission  of  bills  of  credit  to  the  amount  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  thousand  pounds,  to  be  loaned  to  the 
people;  and  the  interest  to  be  applied  towards  the  support  of 
the  Colonial  Government.  With  this  bill  was  connected  a 
grant  of  one  thousand  pounds  from  the  treasury,  and  one 
thousand  more  of  the  bills  about  to  be  issued,  to  be  applied 
for  the  support  of  the  troops.     The  incipient  proceedings  to 


50  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

this  measure,  passed  the  committee  of  the  whole  House  by  a 
majority  of  one  vote  only. 

Although,  since  1766,  the  appropriations  for  the  troops, 
with  certain  restrictions  and  qualifications,  had  been  made 
by  the  Assembly,  they  had  excited  only  murmurs  of  discon- 
tent from  the  popular  party,  without  any  demonstrations  of 
extraordinary  reprobation.  That  party  now  perceived,  or 
imagined  they  perceived,  the  germ  of  a  more  effectual  mode 
of  subjecting  the  House,  than  by  the  usual  resort  to  proroga- 
tion, and  dissolution.  The  novel  project  of  resuming  the 
issue  of  bills  of  credit,  against  the  direct  provisions  of  an 
act  of  Parliament;  the  countenance  of  the  Governor  and 
Council  to  the  scheme;  coupled  with  the  distasteful  and  un- 
qualified compliance  with  the  Mutiny  Act;  gave  well  ground- 
ed suspicions  that  combinations,  dangerous  to  the  safety  of 
the  community,  had  been  formed  against  them.  A  very  ex- 
citing handbill  appeared  on  the  16th  December,  signed  a 
Son  of  Liberty,*  was  published,  addressed  to  the  betrayed 
inhabitants  of  the  city.  This  publication  denounced  the 
scheme  of  issuing  bills  of  credit,  as  covering  some  insidious 
design,  and  unlikely  to  meet  the  assent  of  the  King.  That 
the  unqualified  yielding  of  the  subsidy  demanded  for  the 
troops  was  a  direct  acknowledgment  of  the  right  to  exact  it, 
and  of  the  justice  and  propriety  of  the  impost  duties,  and  in 
its  tendency  was  a  death  blow  to  the  mercantile  system  of 
coercion,  by  means  of  the  non-importation  league.  That  it 
was  the  fruit  of  a  subtle  design  of  the  Ministry  to  divide  and 
distract  the  Colonies;  and  the  Assembly  were  pointed  to  the 
firm  stand  taken  by  Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina,  and 
exhorted  to  imitate  their  example.  It  called  upon  the  ma- 
jority, who  had  passed  the  law,  to  reconsider  and  rescind 
their  vote,  and  to  repudiate  corrupt  combinations,  the  effect 
of  cupidity  on  the  part  of  the  Governor,  and  of  ambition  in 
a  powerful  family;  who,  from  being  his  bitterest  denuncia- 
tors had  suddenly  become  his  warmest  supporters:  and  closed 

*  Handbills  Historical  Society  and  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  51 

with  the  call  of  a  meeting  in  the  fields  to  take  the  sense  of 
the  people  on  the  occasion. 

The  call  was  effectual,  and  the  next  day  a  very  large  As- 
sembly convened.  This  meeting  was  addressed  by  Mr. 
Lamb,  who  was  deputed  to  explain  the  object  of  the  call,  and 
the  design  and  tendency  of  this  movement  of  the  Assembly, 
and  to  put  the  question,  whether  the  people  would  approve 
or  reprobate  the  proceedings  of  the  Legislature.  The  vote 
for  disapproval  was  almost  unanimous,  and  Mr.  Lamb  and 
others  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  convey  the  sense  of  the 
meeting  to  the  representatives  of  the  city  in  the  Assembly, 
to  be  communicated  by  them  to  that  body.  This  duty  was 
perfomed,  the  members  receiving  the  Committee  with  de- 
cency; but  declining  to  propose  a  recision  of  their  vote, 
alledging  that  they  believed  the  law  was  satisfactory  to  the 
people.  This  the  Committee  denied,  and  a  writer,  in  strong 
terms,  under  the  signature  oCLegion,*  complained  of  the 
subserviency  of  the  Legislature,  in  basely  abandoning  the  in- 
terests of  the  people.  The  House  took  fire  at  both  these  pub- 
lications: they  voted  them  both  libellous,  and  offered  one 
hundred  pounds  for  the  detection  of  the  writer  of  the  first, 
and  fifty  pounds  for  the  discovery  of  the  perpetrator  of  the 
second.  Philip  Schuyler,  a  patriot  upon  all  occasions,  voted 
alone  in  the  negative,  on  both  questions.f 

On  the  19th,  on  the  motion  of  a  very  loyal  member,  Mr. 
Denoyelles,  Mr.  Lamb,  who  had  harangued  the  meeting,  and 
exposed  the  insidious  and  dangerous  nature  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  House,  and  who  was  suspected,  with  reason,  of 
having  had  a  prominent  hand  in  the  first,  and  of  being  sole 
author  of  the  second  article,  was  ordered  to  appear  at  the  bar 
of  the  Assembly,  to  answer  in  the  premises,  as  the  "  abettor" 
of  the  obnoxious  publications.  In  answer  to  the  interroga- 
tions, Mr.  Lamb  justified  all  he  had  done,  declaring  that  it 
was  nothing  more  than  what  every  Englishman   had  an 

*  Handbills  His.  Soc,  and  Lamb  papers, 
f  Assembly  Journals. 


52  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

undoubted  right  to  do;  and  the  record  says,  "  it  not  appear- 
iug  that  he  had  acted  in  consequence  of  such  libels,  he  was 
dismissed.  But  a  better  reason  can  be  found  for  the  inaction 
of  the  Legislature  :  the  Committee,  beside  Mr.  Lamb,  con- 
sisted of  the  following  persons,  whose  names  are  worthy  of 
record  :  Isaac  Sears,  Caspar  Wistar,  Alexander  M'Dougall, 
Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Samuel  Broome,*  Erasmus  Williams, 
and  James  Van  Varck.  They  caused  to  be  signified  to  the 
House,  that  each  and  every  of  them  were  implicated  in  the 
whole  transactions,  and  culpable,  if  any  culpability  existed,  to 
the  same  extent  as  Mr.  Lamb. 

These  proceedings,  apparently,  closed  the  transactions  of 
the  year,  and  the  results  which  followed,  seemed  ominous 
of  the  decline  and  downfall  of  Liberty.  The  Assembly, 
no  longer  composed  of  those  patriots  who  had  resisted  the 
authority  of  the  Crown,  and  the  blandishments  of  the  Go- 
vernor, had  by  large  appropriations  yielded  unqualified 
submission  to  the  Mutiny  Act;  and  the  supporters  of  the  Go- 
vernment boasted  that  the  submission  was  approved  by  the 
people.  That  the  act  for  emitting  bills  of  credit,  and  for 
loaning  them  to  the  people,  and  its  prospective  allurements, 
had  weakened  the  opposition,  was  certain.  These  bills  were 
made  legal  tender  in  all  dues  to  the  Government,  and  pos- 
sessed the  essential  character  of  the  treasury  notes  of  the  pre- 
sent day.  They  were  issued  by  officers  appointed  by  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council,  and  their  effect  was  to  increase  the  power 
and  patronage  of  the  Crown,  under  the  ostensible  object  of 
decreasing  the  burthens  of  taxation,  and  of  furnishing  a  cir- 
culating medium  to  the  people,  which  was  much  wanted  at 
the  time. 

*  Long  after  the  Revolution  a  resident  of  New  Haven,  in  Connecticut ; 
he  was  grandfather  of  the  talented  Theo.  S.  Fay.  The  Broomes  were, 
from  first  to  last,  staunch  patriots-,  and  John  Broome,  brother  of  Samuel, 
in  latter  times  Lieutenant  Governor  of  this  State,  loaned  without  inte- 
rest a  large  sum  of  money,  to  arm  and  equip  M'Dougall's  regiment,  to 
enable  it  to  reach  the  Northern  Army. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  53 

The  passage  of  this  act  may  be  considered  the  germ  of 
bank  legislation,  so  successful  to  politicians  of  aftertimes; 
and  it  was  in  fact  the  establishment  of  a  government  bank, 
in  its  worst  form,  containing  no  safeguards  for  the  people. 
That  its  effect  was  extensive,  and  fatal  to  the  union  of  the 
popular  party  is  certain.  Even  Sears,  the  sturdy  patriot,  was 
caught  by  the  lure,  and  was  induced,  for  a  season,  to  consider 
the  emission  of  the  bills  a  benefit,  more  than  counterbalancing 
the  dangerous  submission  to  the  Mutiny  Act.  The  sagacity 
of  that  champion  of  the  people  was  often  at  fault,  but  his  zeal 
was  never  inactive :  for  upon  being  made  to  discover  the 
snare  into  which  he  had  fallen,  he  was  among  the  foremost 
in  the  denunciatory  proceedings  of  the  17th  December. 

On  the  4th  January,  1770,  a  report  had  reached  the  com- 
mittee of  serious  defection  in  the  non-importation  league,  at 
Boston,  and  that  even  John  Hancock  had  violated  the  patri- 
otic compact.  Rumors  injurious  to  that  gentleman  had  been 
previously  circulated,  charging  him  with  having  offered  to 
contract  for  the  supply  of  the  troops  under  the  Mutiny  Act. 
This  he  had  vehemently  denied;  and  he  repelled,  with  equal 
indignation,  this  second  impeachment.  Large  meetings  had 
been  held  to  procure  the  passage  of  an  act,  establishing  the 
vote  by  ballot,  at  future  elections;  and  Mr.  Lamb,  together 
with  the  other  persons  who  had  composed  the  committee  on 
the  recent  address  to  the  House,  were  chosen  to  further  the 
application.  In  committee  of  the  whole,  the  bill  passed  with 
only  five  dissentients.  But  the  omnipotence  of  the  Governor's 
party  was  secured,  and  the  adherents  of  the  Crown,  aware  of 
its  injurious  effects  upon  their  interests,  rallied  in  defence  of 
the  "  old  and  constitutional  mode"  of  the  open  vote;  and  the 
new  bill  met  defeat  in  the  House,  by  a  very  large  majority. 

The  inevitable  consequences  of  the  Governor's  triumph  be- 
gan to  exhibit  themselves  in  the  insolence  of  the  soldiery; 
and  the  spirit  of  animosity  between  the  officers  of  the  King 
and  the  people  was  hourly  increasing:  and  as  the  subordi- 
nates are  often  induced  to  outstrip  their  superiors  in  acts  of 


54  LIFE    OF   JOHN    LAMB. 

aggression,  they  were  rendered  more  audacious  in  their  in- 
sults, by  the  recent  acts  of  the  Assembly  in  providing  for 
their  support;  while  the  people  became  more  restive  at  the 
aggressions  of  the  myrmidons,  whose  location  among  them 
was  for  the  purpose  of  overawing  and  reducing  them  to  sub- 
mission.* A  Major  Pullaine  had  interfered  with  the  au- 
thority of  the  Committee,  to  prevent  summary  justice  from 
being  inflicted  upon  some  notorious  violator  of  the  non-im- 
portation covenant,  and  had  ordered  out  a  guard  for  his  pro- 
tection. This  act  of  military  assumption  was  severely  repro- 
bated by  the  people,  but  was  countenanced  by  the  dominant 
party;  and  the  soldiers,  encouraged  to  despise  the  power  of 
the  people  and  the  civil  authorities,  resorted  to  their  ancient 
mode  of  exhibiting  vengeance. 

The  Liberty  Pole  had,  since  the  21st  of  March,  1767,  re- 
mained unmolested;  and  now  as  popular  supremacy  seemed 
to  wane,  and  the  adherents  of  arbitrary  power  lorded  the  as- 
cendant, on  the  13th  January,  a  party  of  the  16th  Regi- 
ment assailed  the  pole,f  and  cutting  away  the  supporters, 
once  more  attempted  to  blow  it  up  with  gun  powder.  A 
few  citizens,  on  the  first  alarm,  gathered  in  front  of  the  Bar- 
din  House,  now  occupied  by  Montangnie;  and  the  rioters, 
desisting  from  the  attempt  on  the  pole,  with  drawn  weapons 
assaulted  the  citizens,  who  retired  within  the  house.  The 
soldiers  followed  them,J  forcing  their  way  into  the  building, 
bayonet  in  hand,  demolishing  the  windows,  and  committing 
much  damage  to  the  house  and  furniture.  One  of  the  un- 
armed inmates  narrowly  escaped  death  from  the  thrust  of  a 
bayonet,  which  he  was  fortunately  able  to  parry,  and  received 
but  a  slight  injury.  Some  officers  who  had  been  notified  of  the 
affray,  now  arrived,  and  the  soldiers  were  ordered  to  the 
barracks.  ^ 

The  two  following  nights  they  made  other  attempts,  which 
were  unavailing.     But  on  the  night  of  the  16th,  the  third 

*  Holt's  paper.  f  Idem.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  55 

tiir.e,  under  cover  of  a  ruined  building  belonging  to  the  cor- 
poration, which  had  once  been  used  for  barracks,  they  more 
secretly  and  effectually  carried  on  their  design,  and  succeed- 
ed in  prostrating  the  pole.  This  they  sawed  in  pieces,  and 
piled  up  in  front  of  Montangnie's  door.  The  audacious 
deed,  on  the  next  day,  rallied  the  citizens  in  good  earnest, 
and  three  thousand  assembled  at  a  call.*  Though  a  force  so 
formidable  was  convened,  no  violent  retaliation  was  intend- 
ed. The  meeting  passed  resolves,  that  the  employment  of 
soldiers  off  duty,  to  perform  work  for  the  citizens,  was  inju- 
rious to  the  laboring  classes,  and  that  it  should  be  discoun- 
tenanced. They  farther  resolved,  that  all  soldiers  found 
armed  in  the  streets,  except  sentinels  and  orderly  sergeants, 
and  all  out  of  barracks  after  roll-call,  armed  or  unarmed, 
should  be  treated  as  enemies  to  the  peace  of  the  city;  and 
they  pledged  themselves  to  mutual  support,  in  carrying  their 
resolutions  into  effect.  And  farther,  appointed  a  committee 
to  move  the  corporation  for  permission  to  demolish  the  build- 
ing which  had  screened  the  soldiers  in  their  act  of  violence 
against  the  pole. 

The  proceedings  of  this  meeting  were  followed,  next  day, 
by  the  posting  of  placards  about  the  city,  and  handbills 
thrown  into  the  Mayor's  house,  using  the  most  abusive,  in- 
sulting and  provoking  language;  and  casting  scurrilous  epi- 
thets upon  the  Sons  of  Liberty;  challenging  them  to  attempt 
the  destruction  of  the  building  alluded  to,  and  putting  the 
authority  of  the  citizens  at  defiance.  This  paper  was  signed 
"  16th  Regiment";  and  in  style  of  composition  was  above 
the  ordinary  capacity  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  army.  The 
abusive  publication  was  put  up  in  open  day,  and  a  trio 
was  discovered  by  Isaac  Sears,f  Walter  Quackenbos  and 
others,  in  the  act  of  posting  them.  Sears  immediately  col- 
lared the  one,  while  Quackenbos  seized  the  other  with  the 
bundle  of  papers.     A  third  of  the  soldiers,  drew  his  bayonet 

•  Holt's  Paper. 

t  Handbills  Historical  Society  and  Holt's  paper. 


56  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  rushed  upon  Sears;  who,  snatching  up  a  ram's  horn,  the 
only  missile  within  his  reach,  hurled  it  in  the  face  of  his 
assailant;  and  keeping  the  rest  at  bay,  Sears,  with  his  asso- 
ciates, marched  off  the  captive  delinquents  to  the  Mayor's 
office. 

A  reinforcement  of  twenty,  from  the  lower  barracks,  now 
made  their  appearance;  and  drawing  their  cutlasses  and  bayo- 
nets, appeared  determined  to  rescue  the  captives.  The  un- 
armed citizens,  who  had  gathered  in  numbers  at  these  threat- 
ening demonstrations,  seized  upon  such  means  of  defence  as 
were  within  their  grasp,  and  wrenching  the  stakes  from  the 
carts  and  sleighs  about  them,  they  stood  upon  the  defensive* 
The  Mayor  now  ordered  the  soldiers  to  their  barracks,  and, 
after  much  demur,  they  retreated  towards  Golden  hill;  the 
citizens  following,  and  some  of  them  peaceably  remonstrating 
against  the  violence  of  their  proceedings.  At  Golden  hill, 
the  military  were  again  reinforced,  and  one,  supposed  to  be 
an  officer  in  disguise,  who  was  clad  in  neat  buckskin  small 
clothes  and  silk  stockings,  but  who  in  other  respects  seemed 
to  be  a  common  soldier,  gave  the  order  to  draw  and  cut  their 
way  through  the  citizens,  who  had  gathered  in  considerable 
numbers.  The  order  to  charge  was  obeyed,  and  a  furious 
attack  was  made  upon  the  populace,  who  had  hitherto  re- 
frained from  any  violence.  The  few  who  had  any  means  of 
resistance,  ranged  themselves  in  front  of  their  defenceless 
friends,  but  one  of  them,  losing  his  clumsy  weapon  in  the  affray, 
was  compelled  to  retreat,  followed  by  several  of  the  rioters 
with  drawn  swords  and  bayonets:  and  as  Francis  Field,  a  Qua- 
ker citizen,  was  standing  in  his  door  way,  one  of  them  aimed 
a  blow  at  him,  which  was  partly  intercepted  by  the  brickwork, 
but  which  still  had  sufficient  force  to  inflict  a  large  wound 
in  his  cheek.  Three  other  citizens  were  wounded;  one 
thrust  through  with  a  bayonet;  and  at  some  distance  from 
thence,  a  sailor  was  cut  down.  In  addition  to  this,  a  lad  was 
hurt  in  the  head,  and  driven  into  a  neighboring  house  for 
shelter;  and  as  he  was  entering,  a  thrust  was  made  with  a 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  57 

bayonet  at  a  woman  who  opened  the  door  of  the  house  into 
which  he  had  escaped.  A  citizen  who  had  the  good  fortune 
to  be  armed  with  a  cane,  and  who  had  been  conspicuous  in 
assisting  to  secure  the  two  culprits  carried  before  the  Mayor, 
was  now  attacked  by  two  soldiers  at  once,  but  made  good 
his  defence  for  sometime;  and  upon  a  bystander  putting  a 
halbert  into  his  hand,  as  his  weapon  was  disabled,  the  assail- 
ants retreated  to  the  hill.  Another  inhabitant,  coming  out 
of  his  door,  was  attacked  by  several;  but  having  an  effi- 
cient weapon  at  hand,  made  successful  defence  of  his  citadel. 

The  whole  party  had  gathered  to  the  hill,  and  the  citizens, 
notwithstanding  the  disparity  of  weapons,  kept  them  in  oc- 
cupation, and  hemmed  them  in  on  every  side.  Many  of  the 
soldiers  were  disabled  and  disarmed,  and  more  sanguinary 
vengeance  might  have  been  taken  by  the  populace;  but  they 
contented  themselves  with  depriving  the  adversary  of  their 
weapons.  Another  reinforcement  of  soldiers  approached  in 
rear  of  the  party  which  surrounded  the  hill,  and  called  to 
their  comrades  to  charge  through  the  citizens,  and  they  would 
support  them  by  an  attack  upon  the  rear;  but  a  party  of  officers 
now  appearing,  the  military  were  ordered  to  the  barracks. 
Many  of  the  soldiers  were  severely  wounded,  and  one  badly 
cut  on  the  shoulder.  Thus  ended  the  day,  and  the  night 
passed  by  without  disturbance,  except  from  a  straggling 
party,  who  assaulted  and  wounded  two  lamp-lighters. 

On  the  nineteenth,  a  soldier  attacked  a  woman  coming 
from  market,  and  thrust  a  bayonet  through  her  cloak  and 
clothing.  About  noon,  a  battle  began  between  some  of  the 
military  and  a  party  of  sailors,  who  in  these  affrays  generally 
sided  with  the  people,  and  one  old  seaman  was  thrust  through 
the  body.  While  this  contention  was  raging,  the  Mayor  ap- 
peared on  the  ground,  and  ordered  all  to  disperse.  The  sol- 
diers disobeying,  the  magistrate  ordered  their  officers  to  be 
called;  but  the  military,  with  drawn  bayonets,  intercepted 
the  messenger  and  forbade  him  to  proceed.  A  body  of  the 
people  now  coming  up  Broadway,  the  soldiers  dispersed. 
8 


58  LIFE   OF   JOHN   LAMB. 

In  the  afternoon,  as  a  number  of  the  citizens  had  assembled 
in  front  of  the  new  jail,  a  party  of  the  military  appeared  in 
sight,  and  although  there  was  no  necessity  for  their  disturb- 
ing the  Assembly,  they  charged  in  bravado,  up  to  the  rear. 
The  inhabitants  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  and  gave  them 
free  passage.  Resolved  to  provoke  an  affray,  they  attempted 
to  disarm  some  of  the  citizens  of  their  canes.  They  were 
now  indulged  in  their  desire,  and  a  battle  began,  in  which 
some  of  the  soldiers  were  disarmed,  and  the  party  driven  to 
the  barracks.  One  citizen  was  hurt  in  the  face,  and  one  of  the 
assailants  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder;  while  another, 
who  had  been  found  prominent  in  the  affair  of  the  preceding 
day,  was  arrested  and  committed.  On  the  next  day  after  the 
second  affray,  the  Mayor  isssued  an  order  that  no  soldiers 
should  be  out  of  the  barracks  on  duty,  except  accompanied 
by  a  non-commissioned  officer;  and  notified  the  citizens,  that 
when  soldiers  appear  in  numbers,  thus  accompanied,  they 
need  not  be  alarmed.* 

At  the  meeting  of  the  17th,  the  question  was  put  upon 
moving  the  corporation  for  permission  to  re-erect  their  flag 
staff  upon  the  former  place,  or  upon  some  other  suitable  spot. 
This  was  opposed  by  Mr.  Lamb,  and  some  others,  as  conced- 
ing that  the  corporation  had  a  right  to  refuse  such  permission. 
But  this  view  of  the  subject  was  overruled  by  a  majority,  and 
a  Committee  was  appointed  to  petition  the  corporation  in 
that  respect.  The  memorial,  dated  on  the  30th  January,  set 
forth  the  patriotic  occasion  on  which  the  first  flag  staff  had 
been  erected;  the  legitimate  objects  for  which  it  had  been 
used;  the  wanton  aggressions  of  the  military  upon  the  rights 
of  the  people,  in  destroying  the  emblem  erected  to  constitu- 
tional liberty;  and  called  upon  the  corporation  to  grant  them 
leave  to  reinstate  the  one  which  had  been  recently  overthrown. 
Their  request  was  rejected.  Meanwhile  the  minority  was  re- 
solved to  act  independently  of  the  corporation,  and  purchased 

*  Holt's  paper 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  59 

a  piece  of  ground  near  the  site  of  the  pole  which  had  been 
destroyed,  and  while  the  subject  was  yet  depending  before 
the  board,  a  meeting  was  convened  by  them,  acting  as  a 
Committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,*  at  which  it  was  deter- 
mined to  erect  their  liberty  pole,  despite  the  municipal  au- 
thorities. This  was  done  with  great  unanimity,  and  a  mast, 
strongly  guarded  with  iron  bands  and  bars,  and  sunk  deep 
in  the  earth,  so  as  to  defy  all  further  attempts  to  prostrate  it, 
was  raised  with  due  form,  and  appropriate  ceremonies.  It 
was  inscribed  Liberty  and  Property,  and  surmounted  with  a 
top  mast,  upon  which  was  a  large  vane,  with  similar  in- 
scription. 

*  Feb.  3,  1770.  Committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  notify  a  meeting  at 
Crommeline's  wharf,  to  erect  a  pole  on  ground  belonging  to  them. — Hand- 
bills Historical  Soc.  Library. 


60  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Parker  examined. — McDougall  arrested. — Confinement. — Case  assimi- 
lated to  Wilkes's. — House  purchased  by  Sons  of  Liberty. — Hampden 
Hall. — Repeal  Celebration. — Citizens  salute  McDougall  in  Jail. — Soldiers 
attempt  Liberty  Pole. — Assault  Hampden  Hall. — Repulsed. — Dispersed. 
— McDougall  gives  Bail. — Is  released. — Non-importation  League  declines. 
— Repeal  of  the  Duties  except  on  Tea. — Efforts  of  Sons  of  Liberty  to 
sustain  the  League. — General  Committee  recommend  Abrogation. — De- 
nouucedat  Faneuil  Hall. — Hampden  Hall  Protest. — Importation  of  every 
thing  except  Tea. — Lord  Dunmore  Governor. — McDougall  arrested  on 
Speaker's  Warrant. — Committed  for  Contempt. — Habeas  Corpus. — House 
demur. — Outrage  of  the  Soldiers. — Tryon  succeeds  Lord  Dunmore. — 
Pitt's  Statue  mutilated. — Efforts  to  induce  importation  of  Tea. — Kelly 
burnt  in  Effigy.— 1770  to  1773. 

The  dismissal  of  Mr.  Lamb,  was  followed  by  a  star  cham- 
ber process,  in  order  to  discover  the  author  of  the  alledged 
libel  upon  the  Assembly,  This  paper  had  been  published  at 
the  office  of  James  Parker,  the  printer  of  a  newspaper  in  the 
city;  and  at  the  same  time,  comptroller  and  secretary  of  the 
post  office.  A  journeyman  in  his  employ,  corrupted  by  the 
reward  offered  by  the  Assembly,  made  some  disclosures, 
which,  on  the  7th  of  February,  procured  the  arrest  of  Parker,* 
who  was  taken  to  the  Fort  and  examined  by  the  Governor 
and  Council.  Failing  to  procure  the  necessary  information, 
while  he  was  still  in  confinement,  all  the  apprentices  in  his 
office  were  brought  before  the  Council;  and  the  fact  was 
elicited,  that  the  paper  had  issued  thence;  but  the  informants 
were  ignorant  of  the  author.  Parker  was  again  examined, 
and  threatened  with  dismissal  from  his  employment  in  the 
post  office,  unless  he  disclosed  the  name  of  the  author;  and 
at  the  same  time,  promised  indemnity  for  the  past,  upon  his 
compliance.     He  made  certain  avowals,  upon  which  a  bench 

*  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  61 

warrant  was  caused  to  be  issued  against  Alexander  McDou- 
gall,  who  was  arrested  next  day  and  carried  before  the 
chief  justice;  and  refusing  to  give  bail,  he  was  committed  to 
prison. 

The  case  of  McDougall  bore  some  analogy  to  that  of 
Wilkes,  who  was  about  that  time  every  where  toasted,  as  the 
great  apostle  and  martyr  of  Liberty;  and  McDougall's  friends 
were  solicitous  to  assimilate  their  champion's  fate,  as  nearly 
to  his  as  possible.*  The  number  of  the  North  Briton,  which 
had  called  down  the  vengeance  of  the  government  upon  the 
transatlantic  patriot,  was  forty-five.  The  number  forty-five, 
became  the  watchword  and  countersign  of  the  popular  party. 
They  crowded  to  the  jail,  and  demanded  admission  to  their 
friend ;  and  upon  being  asked  their  names,  the  answer  was 
universal,  We  are  forty-five.f  So  constant  and  so  numerous 
were  these  visitors,  which  were  of  both  sexes,  that  the  im- 
prisoned patriot  was  obliged  to  publish  a  card,J  announcing 
the  hours,  from  three  to  six  in  the  afternoon,  as  those  on 
which  he  would  receive  their  condolence.  The  boldness 
which  Mc  Dougall  had  displayed  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  year  1769,  and  the  constancy  with  which  he  endured  his 
confinement,  were  fortunate  in  restoring  him  to  the  commu- 
nion of  his  party,  from  which  he  had  been  at  one  time  some- 
what excluded.  He  had  not  been  among  the  most  active  in 
the  times  of  the  Stamp  Act;  and  a  lukewarmness,  displayed 
upon  a  former  occasion,  had  shaken  the  confidence  of  some 
of  his  friends,  among  whom  were  Lamb  and  Sears,  in  his 
firmness  and  devotion.  But  the  manly  resolution  with  which 
he  braved  the  power  of  the  Crown,  effectually  redeemed  him 
from  suspicion,  and  gave  a  new  impulse  to  his  popularity. 

Montangnie,  who  had  taken  Bardin's  establishment,  the 
Tammany  Hall  of  that  time,  had  suffered  his  house  to  be- 
come the  resort  of  many  who  had  been  zealous  enough  in  the 
times  of  the  Stamp  Act,  but  who  now  leaned  to  the  Go- 

*  Holt's  paper.  t  Idem.  $  Idem. 


62  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

vernor's  party,  and  had  permitted  his  rooms  to  be  engaged 
by  them  for  the  approaching  repeal  celebration,  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  the  Committee  and  their  friends  of  more  orthodox 
principles.  The  excluded  patriots,  now  purchased  a  house 
at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  the  Bowery  road,*  which  they 
christened  Hampden  Hall,  and  which  was  occupied  by  Henry 
Bicker.  At  this  house,  on  the  19th  March,  they  called  their 
meeting  for  the  celebration  of  the  day.  The  call  was  an- 
swered by  the  assembling  of  a  numerous  body  of  the  citizens, 
who  had  been  active  in  the  proceedings  of  the  16th  Decem- 
ber. Forty-five  toasts  were  drank.  The  following  are  part 
of  the  toasts: 

15th.  The  Liberty  of  the  Press. 

16th.  John  Wilkes,  for  his  noble  struggles  in  the  cause  of 
Liberty. 

17th.  Capt.  Alexander  McDougall,  who  has  nobly  stood 
forth  in  its  defence. 

And  after  dinner  the  company  formed  in  procession,  and 
proceeded  to  the  jail,  where  McDougall  was  confined;  sa- 
luted him  with  forty-five  cheers;  and  then  marching  through 
the  city  and  back  to  the  Liberty  Pole,  they  quietly  dis- 
persed. 

A  part  of  the  troops  stationed  in  the  barracks  were  or- 
dered for  embarkation,  and  they  resolved  to  signalize  their 
departure  by  another  attack  on  the  Liberty  Pole,  and  even 
swore  they  would  carry  with  them  a  part  of  it,  as  a  trophy 
of  their  victory .f  On  the  29th  March,  fifteen  of  these,  in  the 
dead  of  the  night,  marched  to  the  spot,  and  finding  the  lower 
mast  too  strongly  fortified,  they  attempted  to  unship  the  top- 
mast. In  this  they  were  discovered  by  a  few  of  the  citizens 
who  were  accidentally  passing  the  common.  The  soldiers, 
alarmed,  retreated  to  the  baracks.  The  citizens  who  had  re- 
mained %  were  joined  by  fifteen  or  twenty  others;  and  as 
they  surrounded  the  pole,  the  soldiers  who  had  received  a  re- 

*  Supplement  Holt's  Journal,  1418. 
t  Holt's  paper.  %  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  63 

inforcement,  now,  with  forty  of  their  number,  returned  and 
attacked  them  with  drawn  weapons.  Most  of  the  citizens 
retreated  to  Bicker's;  and  some  others  of  the  military  from 
the  barracks  coming  up,  they  surrounded  the  house  and  at- 
tempted to  force  the  door.  Bicker  defended  the  entrance 
with  fixed  bayonet,*  and  kept  the  assailants  at  bay.  The 
furious  soldiers  not  only  threatened  destruction  to  the  pole 
and  all  its  defenders,  but  even  swore  they  would  burn  the 
house,  which  was  so  vigorously  defended.  Some  of  those 
who  had  been  driven  from  the  pole,  sounded  the  alarm  bell 
at  St.  George's  Chapel  in  Beekman  street;  and  as  the  citi- 
zens began  to  assemble,  an  officer  arriving,  ordered  the  sol- 
diers to  quarters.  A  strict  watch  was  kept  at  the  pole  all 
night,  and  every  night  afterwards,  until  the  3d  May,  when 
the  troops  sailed  for  the  place  of  their  destination. 

In  the  April  term  of  the  court,  the  grand  jury  found  a  bill 
against  McDougall  for  the  alleged  libel,  who  pleaded  not 
guilty.  During  this  investigation,  Messrs.  Delancy,  Walton 
and  Des  Noyelles,  members  of  the  Assembly,  sat  upon  the 
bench  with  the  judges.  McDougall  now  consented  to  give 
bail  on  a  personal  bond  of  five  hundred  pounds,  and  with  two 
sureties,  each  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  and  was  set  at 
1  iberty.f 

The  efforts  of  the  Committee  to  keep  unbroken  the  non- 
importation agreement,  were  unceasing;  and  their  vigilance 
in  detecting  and  exposing  infractions,  and  in  enforcing  prac- 
tical admonitions  to  the  aiders  and  abettors  of  any  violations, 
undoubtedly  had  great  influence  every  where.  As  a  speci- 
men of  that  vigilance  and  industry,  the  following  letter  is 
introduced  : 

New  York,  11th  May,  1770. 
Bretheren  : 

We  take  this  opportunity  to  acquaint  you,  that  having  re- 
ceived information,  that  a  certain  Nathan  Rogers,  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  Merchant,  (one  of  those  who  have  for  some 

*  Holt's  paper.  f  Handbills  Historical  Society. 


64  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

time  past,  been  advertised  by  the  Committee  of  Merchants 
there,  as  a  person  who  had  endeavored  to  counteract  the  lau- 
dable and  patriotic  resolutions  of  his  bretheren,  by  his  per- 
sisting to  import  British  goods  contrary  to  their  agreement), 
was  in  town;  and  suspecting  that  his  design  in  visiting  our 
city,  was  to  poison  the  minds  of  the  merchants  here,  and  in- 
fluence them,  if  possible,  to  break  the  non-importation  agree- 
ment; we  therefore  thought  it  absolutely  necessary,  to  make 
an  example  of  such  a  miscreant,  and  accordingly  exhibited 
him  last  night  in  effigy,  suspended  on  a  gallows  attended  by 
4  or  5,000  spectators,  who  called  at  his  lodgings,  in  order  to 
have  him  personally  introduced  to  them.  But  in  this  they 
were  disappointed,  as  he  dined  out  of  town. 

The  cavalcade  then  proceeded  through  the  principal  streets 
of  the  city  to  the  common,  where  the  effigy  and  the  gallows 
were  burnt  amidst  the  acclamations  of  the  people.  The  en- 
closed is  a  copy  of  the  letter,  which  was  left  at  his  lodgings, 
and  forwarded  to  him,  as  he  did  not  return  to  town,  but  or- 
dered his  carriage  out  at  2  o'clock  this  morning,  and  imme- 
diately decamped  for  Boston.  He  intended  visiting  your 
city  in  a  few  days,  and  doubtless  will  yet  do  it,  if  our  con- 
duct towards  him  has  not  disconcerted  his  plan.  He  is  a 
man  about  5  feet  8  inches  high,  pretty  corpulent,  round 
shouldered,  stoops  a  good  deal,  and  generally  appears  in  green 
and  gold,  or  purple  and  gold.  We  thought  it  necessary  to 
give  you  this  information,  that  you  may  give  him  a  proper 
reception,  in  case  he  should  come  your  way.  As  we  under- 
stand your  merchants  and  inhabitants  are  to  have  a  meeting 
on  the  15th  instant,  in  order  to  consider  what  steps  may  be 
necessary  for  them  to  take  in  the  present  conjuncture,  we 
take  the  liberty  to  assure  you,  that  a  very  great  majority  of 
the  merchants  and  inhabitants  of  this  city,  are  positively  de- 
termined that  the  non-importation  agreement  shall  not  be 
broke  through  here,  (while  the  other  Colonies  adhere  to  it), 
'til  a  total  repeal  of  the  acts  imposing  duties  upon  paper, 
painters'  colors,  glass,  and  tea,  takes  place.  The  eyes  of  not 
only  us,  but  the  whole  continent  are  upon  you.  As  we  are 
well  assured  that  the  merchants  of  Boston  will  strictly  ad- 
here to  the  agreement,  as  they  are  now  reshipping  the  goods 
which  lately  arrived;  it  therefore  greatly  depends  upon  your 
conduct,  whether  the  people  of  America  shall  remain  free,  or 
become  the  most  vile  and  abject  slaves. 

We  must  request  that  you  will  credit  no  accounts  relative 
to  the  conduct  of  our  merchants,  until  you  receive  it  from  the 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  65 

Committee  of  Merchants  here,  as  the  enemies  of  America, 
are  industriously  propagating  reports  which  are  calculated  to 
divide  us,  and  thereby  render  us  an  easy  prey. 
To  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  Philadelphia* 

While,  as  this  letter  evinces,  the  spirit  of  the  patriots  was 
unbroken,  and  relying  upon  the  cooperation  of  the  general 
Committee  of  One  Hundred,  which  had  some  time  before 
been  appointed,  they  were  resolved  to  adhere  to  the  last,  a 
serious  defection,  of  which  they  were  not  aware,  had  taken 
place  in  that  committee,  which  gave  a  death  blow  to  the 
non-importation  league.  The  efforts  of  the  Ministerialists  to 
weaken  this  great  bond  of  the  Union,  had  been  unceasing, 
and  the  governmental  appliances  had  been  but  too  successful. 

Rhode  Island  had  relaxed,  and  a  meeting  of  the  citizens 
was  called  to  express  their  disapprobation;  and  also  to  take 
order,  relative  to  some  merchandise  which  had  been  brought 
into  the  city  the  day  before.  The  proceedings  of  that  meet- 
ing are  copied  from  the  original  among  the  papers  of  the 
Committee  of  Vigilance: 

"  Whereas  the  enemies  of  the  Liberties  of  America  in 
Great  Britain,  have  declared,  in  order  to  support  their  tyranny, 
that  the  laudable  agreement  entered  into  by  the  merchants 
of  North  America,  not  to  import  goods,  until  the  act  of  Par- 
liament imposing  a  duty  on  paper,  glass,  painters'  colors,  and 
tea,  was  repealed,  was  broke  through  and  at  an  end:  and 
whereas  the  merchants  of  Newport  in  the  colony  of  Rhode 
Island,  although  they  acceded  to  the  above  compact  very  late; 
by  which  they  have  greatly  advanced  their  private  interests, 
and  injured  the  cause  of  liberty,  in  which  they  in  common 
with  the  other  colonies  are  interested;  have  notwithstanding 
these  considerations,  being  lost  to  all  sense  of  public  virtue, 
and  influenced  by  a  sordid  regard  to  private  gain,  lately  re- 
ceived English  and  East  India  goods  contrary  to  their  own 
voluntary  and  solemn  contract;  and  thereby  violated  their 
faith  pledged  to  the  other  colonies;  so  that  they  have  given 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


66  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

too  much  ground  for  our  enemies  to  triumph;  and  to  dis- 
courage the  noble  struggles  now  making  to  preserve  the 
liberties  of  tbis  country:  in  order  therefore  to  prevent  the 
former,  and  support  the  latter,  and  if  possible  to  bring  them 
to  a  sense  of  their  duty; 

Resolved,  That  the  merchants  of  New  Port,  or  any  others, 
who  have  violated  the  non-importation  agreement,  are  for 
that  inglorious  defection  from  the  interests  of  their  country, 
declared  enemies  to  the  liberties  of  North  America;  and  that 
unless  they  return  to  their  duty,  we  will  treat  them  as  such. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  have  no  trade  or  commerce  with 
the  merchants  of  the  colony  of  Rhode  Island,  or  any  of  its 
inhabitants,  but  on  condition  that  the  merchants  of  that 
colony,  solemnly  declare  on  oath,  that  they  will  strictly  ob- 
serve and  maintain  the  non-importation  agreement,  and  use 
their  best  endeavors  to  oblige  others  to  conform  to  it,  while 
the  same  is  adhered  to  by  the  capital  towns  on  the  continent; 
and  as  an  evidence  of  their  sincerity,  immediately  reship 
all  the  goods  unsold  to  Great  Britain,  which  they  have  im- 
ported contrary  to  their  agreement;  and  send  to  us  two  re- 
putable merchants,  who  have  been  witnesses  of  the  other 
merchants;  being  qualified  as  above  required;  and  of  the 
departure  of  the  said  goods:  and  also,  that  they  give  strict 
orders  to  the  masters  of  their  vessels  trading  to  Great  Britain, 
not  to  take  any  goods  on  board,  not  allowed  by  the  agree- 
ment, for  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever.  And  if  any 
goods  should  arrive  in  their  vessels  contrary  to  the  non- 
importation agreement,  that  they  cause  them  to  be  reshipped 
to  Great  Britain,  or  to  whatever  place  they  were  imported 
from. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  merchants  of  the  said  colony  do  not, 
in  one  month  after  the  date  hereof,  comply  with  the  requisi- 
tions in  the  preceding  resolution,  although  the  act  of  Parlia- 
ment imposing  the  aforesaid  duties  should  be  totally  repealed : 
yet  we  will  hold  the  merchants  and  inhabitants  of  that  colony 
in  the  utmost  contempt  and  abhorrence;  in  order  to  transmit 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  67 

to  our  posterity  the  strongest  evidence  of  our  detestation  of 
the  base  conduct  of  the  enemies  of  their  country. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  use  our  endeavors  with  the  mer- 
chants and  inhabitants  of  the  neighboring  colonies,  to  come 
into  resolutions  similar  to  these. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  now 
met,  that  the  vessels  trading  from  Rhode  Island  now  in  port, 
do  depart  in  twenty-four  hours  from  the  dissolution  of  this 
convention;  and  that  the  masters  of  such  vessels  as  have 
lately  arrived  from  that  colony,  be  desired  to  depart  without 
unloading  any  part  of  their  cargoes. 

Resolved,  That  we  will,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  by  all 
legal  means,  preserve  the  non-importation  agreement  invio- 
late in  this  city  and  colony,  until  the  act  aforesaid  is  totally 
repealed;  and  that  we  will  not  buy  any  goods  from  any 
person  or  persons,  who  shall  transgress  that  salutary  agree- 
ment; and  that  we  will  use  our  utmost  influence  to  prevent 
others  from  purchasing  goods  from  them. 

Resolved,  That  the  goods  imported  yesterday,  in  Captain 
Spears,  from  Glasgow,  contrary  to  the  non-importation 
agreement,  shall  not  be  landed  in  any  port  of  this  colony, 
under  any  pretences  whatever:  but  that  the  same  shall  be  ex- 
ported, without  delay,  to  Great  Britain;  and  that  Messrs. 
Walter  and  Thomas  Buchanan,  and  the  said  captain,  in  order 
to  satisfy  the  public,  declare  without  loss  of  time  that  they 
will  use  their  utmost  endeavors  that  this  resolution  be  punc- 
tually complied  with. 

J\ew-York,  May  30,  1770.* 

To  these  resolves,  the  citizens  assembled  gave  their  hearty 
concurrence;  but  to  the  surprise  of  the  Committee  of  Vigi- 
lance, the  Committee  of  One  Hundred  disavowed  their  mani- 
festo; upon  which,  on  the  7th  of  June,  Isaac  Sears  and  Peter 
Vandervoot  withdrew  from  the  General  Committee.  The 
pertinacious  Committee  of  Vigilance  denounced,  in  no  mode- 

*  Lamb's  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


68  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

rate  terms,  their  timid  and  faultering  compeers;  and  deter- 
mined stoutly  to  resist  the  relaxing  influences  in  operation 
against  them.  Some  goods  had  been  brought  into  the  city 
from  the  eastward,  and  were  secretly  vended  in  defiance 
of  the  league;  and  the  patriots  called  upon  the  General 
Committee  to  enforce  the  penalty  of  the  covenant.  They 
accordingly  seized  the  prohibited  merchandise,  and  lodged  it 
in  store.  But  it  was  discovered  by  the  Committee  of  Vigi- 
lance, that  some  prominent  members  of  the  One  Hundred, 
were  industriously  sapping  the  league,  by  circulating  a  pa- 
per and  obtaining  subscriptions  among  the  citizens,  recom- 
mending the  abrogation  of  the  compact,  and  the  resumption 
of  imports,  with  the  exception  of  tea;  and  apprehending 
that  the  offending  commodities  might  be  taken  away  or  re- 
leased, the  more  determined  of  the  patriots  forcibly  took  them 
into  possession,  and  committed  them  to  the  flames:  for 
which  they  received  the  public  rebuke  of  the  Committee  of 
One  Hundred.* 

While  the  board  at  New  York  were  declining  in  the  ob- 
servance of  the  saluary  agreement,  Massachusetts,  Connecti- 
cut, Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  remonstrated  against  the 
infraction  of  the  Union.  The  Bostonians,  on  the  24th,  de- 
clared that  so  long  as  there  was  a  shadow  of  a  duty  on  tea, 
the  repeal  as  to  other  articles  ought  not  to  dissolve  the  non- 
importation compact.  The  devoted  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New 
York  reechoed  these  sentiments,  and  the  adjacent  colonies 
joined  in  the  exhortations  to  adherence.  The  patriots  in 
New  York  demanded  that  a  new  General  Committee  should 
be  chosen  in  the  city;  but  disaffection  had  gained  ground. 
The  subscription  for  the  renewal  of  importations  had  become 
a  formidable  list;  and  the  patriotism  of  the  people  was  ma- 
nifestly yielding.  Philadelphia,  in  derision  of  this  weakness, 
advised  that  the  "  Old  Liberty  Pole  of  New  York  should  be 
transferred  to  that  city,  as  it  no  longer  formed  a  rallying 
point  for  the  votaries  of  Freedom  at  home." 

*  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAME  69 

Neither  the  sentiments  of  patriotism,  or  the  dread  of  de- 
nunciation! and  ridicule,  could  keep  the  Committee  of  One 
Hundred  to  their  duty.*  They,  on  the  9th  July,  resolved  to 
import,  and  the  24th,  sent  a  circular  letter,  justifying  in  the 
best  terms  they  could,  their  defection,  and  announced  their  re- 
solution to  abrogate  the  league,  in  everything  but  the  im- 
portation of  tea.f  Two  days  afterwards,  Hampden  Hall,  and 
its  patriotic  supporters,  the  true  Sons  of  Liberty,  received 
this  annunciation  with  an  emphatic  and  indignant  protest.  J 
The  missive  was  received  at  Faneuil  Hall  with  some  doubts 
of  its  authenticity.  It  could  hardly  be  believed  possible  that 
it  had  received  the  sanction  of  New  York.  The  paper  w  as 
declared  infamous,  torn  in  pieces,  and  scattered  to  the  winds, 
in  indignation.  But  when  another  letter,  complaining  of  the 
indignity  put  upon  their  manifesto,  and  attempting  farther 
to  justify  their  proceedings  arrived,  the  clamor  of  the  Bos- 
tonians  was  vociferous.  Connecticut  responded  to  the  cry, 
and  Har.  Gansevoort,  Volkert  P.  Douw,  Harm's  Wendell, 
Guysbert  Fonda,  and  Barent  Ten  Eyck,  patriotic  merchants 
of  Albany,  in  a  letter  to  the  Committee  of  Vigilance,  de- 
nounced the  renunciation  as  pusillanimous  and  detestable. § 

Mr.  Lamb,  who  had  continued  of  the  Committee  of  the  Sons 
of  Liberty,  upon  its  revival  upon  the  excitements  against  the 
Mutiny  Act,  and  the  imposts,  joined  loudest  in  the  cry  of  his 
compatriots  at  the  inglorious  abandonment,  and  the  Commit- 
tee were  determined  on  renewed  vigilance,  to  defeat  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Ministerial  party,  resolving  to  cooperate  with 
their  brethren  abroad,  in  measures  most  conducive  to  that  in- 
tent. On  the  12th  September,  Boston  proposed  a  conference, 
to  which  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey  consented ;  but  the  ar- 
guments of  the  rescinding  Committee  of  New  York,  had 
found  more  favor  in  Philadelphia,  than  at  the  eastward,  or  in 

*  July  9,  1770,  Resolved  to  import.  Signed,  Isaac  Low,  Chairman. — 
Handbills  His.  Soc. 

t  Holt's  papers.  J  Idem.  $Idem. 


70  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  intermediate  Colony  *  That  city  no  longer  laid  claim  to 
the  Liberty  Pole,  and  yielded  their  consent  to  a  dissolution 
of  the  compact.f  For  a  while,  Boston  resisted  the  mischie- 
vous compliance,  and  were  sustained  by  the  minority  in  New 
York.  They  even,  on  the  20th,  ordered  some  goods  that 
had  arrived  to  be  reshipped,  but  at  length,  on  the  1 1th  Octo- 
ber, they  came  into  the  general  resolution  of  resuming  the 
importation  of  everything  except  tea.J 

Another  victory  had  been  won  by  the  Crown,  but  yet  the 
patriotic  minority  in  New  York,  stood  to  their  arms.§  The 
men  of  Hampden  Hall,  even  ventured  a  rebuke  to  those  of 
Faneuil,  for  not  holding  out  longer,  and  the  sentinels  of  both 
Citadels  of  Freedom,  discomfited,  but  not  dismayed,  resolved 
to  "  bide  their  time,"  and  to  sink  into  the  inaction  to  which 
the  force  of  circumstances  had  compelled  them. 

The  leaden  statue  of  the  King,  ordered  by  the  Assembly 
of  1766,  had  arrived,  and  on  the  21st  August,  1770,  had  been 
erected  in  the  Bowling  Green.  The  one  voted  to  Mr.  Pitt 
was  to  have  been  of  brass;  but  was  afterwards  directed  to  be 
made  of  marble.  This  was  in  the  ensuing  month  placed  in 
Wall  street,  at  the  corner  of  Smith,  now  William  street.|| 
The  25th  October,  the  new  Governor,  Lord  Dunmore,  made 
his  appearance,  and  was  addressed,  and  congratulated  by  the 
civil  and  religious  corporations  of  the  city.  His  Excellency 
was  the  bearer  of  the  King's  gracious  assent  to  the  bill  for 
the  emission  of  bills  of  credit,  and  brought  the  news  of  the 
aggressions  of  Spain  upon  the  British  settlements  at  Falkland 
Islands;  and  he  intimated,  that  his  Majesty  relied  upon  the 
loyalty  of  his  Colonies  in  America,  in  the  war  which  was  ex- 
pected to  follow,  and  the.  11th  December,  reminded  them  that 
supplies  for  the  troops  would  be  necessary,  and  doubts  not 
of  prompt  appropriations. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  complaisance  of  the  Assembly 
to  the  message  of  the  Governor,  and  as  if  they  could  not  more 
effectually  display  their  own  submission,  and  loyalty  to  the 

*  Holt's  papers.         t  Ibid.         J  Ibid.         §  Ibid.         ||  Ibid. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  71 

King,  than  by  punishing  one  who  had  shown  a  disposition 
to  evade  the  duty  of  passive  obedience  and  non-resistance; 
on  the  13th,  they  ordered  Capt.  Alexander  McDougall,  who 
was  under  indictment  for  a  libel  against  them,  to  appear  at 
the  bar,  upon  a  warrant  of  the  Speaker  of  the  House.*  That 
gentlemen  was  brought  up  on  the  20th,  and  charged  as  the 
author  of  the  libel  upon  the  Assembly,  circulated  in  1769. 
McDougall  informed  the  House,  that  he  had  been  arrested  in 
consequence  of  a  resolve,  and  an  offer  of  a  reward  by  the  As- 
sembly; that  he  had  been  held  to  bail  in  the  courts  of  justice; 
and  that  the  trial  of  the  indictment  under  which  he  now  la- 
bored, had  been  vexatiously  and  unnecessarily  delayed,  and 
asked  who  were  his  accusers.!  He  was  interrupted  by  the 
same  loyal  member,  at  whose  instance  Mr.  Lamb  had  been 
arrested  the  year  before,  and  required  to  give  a  categorical 
answer,  if,  or  not,  he  was  the  author  of  the  paper.  The  pri- 
soner then  endeavored  to  explain  why  he  ought  not  to  be 
called  upon  to  give  such  answer,  when  he  was  again  inter- 
rupted, and  forbidden  to  proceed.  The  Speaker  ordered  him 
to  be  silent,  and  threatened  to  commit  him  for  contempt,  if 
he  continued.! 

George  Clinton§  now  interposed  in  his  behalf,  and  sug- 
gested that  he  ought,  always  with  proper  respect  for  the 
House,  to  be  permitted  to  explain  his  reasons;  and  finally, 
the  Speaker  consented  to  hear  them.  McDougall  then  said, 
that  no  notice  having  been  given  him  of  the  proceeding 
against  him,  he  had  not  been  able  to  procure  counsel;  that 
the  charge  was  too  indefinite:  and  that  the  House,  having 
voted  the  paper  a  libel,  he  could  not  deny  or  affirm,  whether, 
or  not,  he  had  been  the  writer.     The  paper  was  now  read, 

*  Two  terms  of  the  Court  had  elapsed  since  the  bill  against  McDou- 
gall had  been  found,  and  no  prosecution  of  the  suit  against  him  had  taken 
place. — Handbills  His.  Soc.  Library. 

t  Assembly  Journals,  Handbills  New  York  Historical  Society,  McDou- 
gall's  manifesto  dated  New  Jail,  "  22  Nov,"  must  be  22d  December. 

t  McDougall's  manifesto  §  Holt's  paper. 


72  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  he  was  again  called  upon  to  answer,  as  before.  Mc- 
Dougall  again  said,  that  under  the  declaration  of  the  House 
that  the  paper  was  a  libel,  and  the  offer  of  a  reward  of  one 
hundred  pounds  by  them  for  the  discovery  of  the  author,  a 
prosecution  at  law  had  been  commenced  against  him:  that 
the  Legislature  were  virtually  complainants  in  the  case,  and 
parties  to  the  prosecution  in  the  courts  of  law.  And  that  it 
being  now  pending  in  those  courts,  he  thought  the  House 
could  not  properly  have  cognizance  of  the  case;  and  doubted 
if  any  parliamentary  precedents  could  justify  the  present  pro- 
ceeding: again  waiving  to  answer  the  question.  The  same 
member  once  more  imperatively  ordered  him  to  answer, 
affirming  that  the  House  had  power  to  extort  it;  and  threat- 
ened the  infliction  of  the  peine  forte  et  dure.  Mr.  Clinton* 
again  interposed,  and  admitted  the  power  of  the  House  to  be 
great:  they  might  throw  the  prisoner  over  the  bar,  or  out  of 
the  window:  but  the  public  would  judge,  and  doubt  the  jus- 
tice of  the  proceedings.  He  then  moved  an  inquiry,  whether 
the  order  of  the  House,  and  the  offer  of  the  reward,  had  been 
the  foundation  of  the  suit  in  the  Court  of  Justice:  and  if  the 
House  was,  indeed,  the  party  in  that  suit.f  McDougall,  ap- 
prehending that  his  answer  had  not  been  fully  understood  by 
the  House,  requested  permission  to  reduce  it  to  writing. 

This  being  done,  the  Speaker  declared  that  it  reflected 
upon  the  dignity  of  the  House;  and  if  not  withdrawn,  it 
would  be  punished  as  a  contempt.  Mr.  Clinton  here  said,J 
that  no  man  would  do  more  to  sustain  the  dignity  of  the 
House  than  himself,  but  that  he  thought  that  the  true  dignity 
of  the  Assembly  would  be  better  suported  by  justice,  than 
by  any  overstrained  authority.  The  majority  persisted,  and 
called  upon  McDougall  to  ask  pardon  of  the  House,  and  upon 
his  refusal  to  do  so,  he  was  committed  to  jail.§     A  writ  of 

*  Journals  of  the  Assembly. 

t  McDougalTs  Manifesto.  %  Holt's  paper. 

§The  patriots  who  voted  against  this  motion,  were  Gale,  Van  Cortlandt, 
Woodhull,  Capt.  Seaman,  and  Clinton.     Schuyler  was  not  present. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  73 

habeas  corpus  was  sued  out  of  the  Court  of  Justice,  and  the 
sheriff  appeared  before  the  House,  and  gave  notice  of  the 
issue.  The  House  ordered  that  the  judges  be  informed,  that 
the  prisoner  had  been  committed  under  a  warrant  from  them, 
and  instructed  the  sheriff  to  detain  him.  A  committee  was 
appointed,  22d  January  1771,  to  search  the  records  of  the 
House  of  Commons  for  precedents  of  similar  cases.  The 
Committee  reported  that  they  had  found  such  precedents; 
and  the  subject  was  debated  on  the  15th  February,  whether 
the  sheriff" should  be  indemnified  for  resisting  the  authority  of 
the  Court.  McDougall  was  detained  for  some  time  after 
this,  and  the  records  of  the  Assembly  contain  no  other  pro- 
ceedings respecting  him.  It  is  probable  that  they  yielded 
obedience  to  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus:  and  Parker,  the  main 
witness  for  the  prosecution  being  dead,  most  likely  the  in- 
dictment was  never  tried;  for  McDougall  was  at  large,  and 
active  on  several  important  occasions  during  the  subsequent 
strugglas. 

Little  happened  to  disturb  the  public  tranquility,  after  the 
last  fruitless  attempt  upon  the  Liberty  Pole.  But  the  soldiers 
were  prompt  upon  every  occasion,  to  display  the  triumph  of 
the  government  over  the  people,  and  the  latter,  perhaps,  not 
backward  to  take  fire  at  their  insults.  A  party  of  officers,*  on 
the  11th  of  June,  dining  in  the  upper  rooms  of  the  Exchange, 
had  placed  sentinels  on  the  piazza,  to  guard  against  encroach- 
ments. It  is  alleged  that  some  stones  had  been  thrown  by  the 
multitude,  upon  the  party  thus  stationed.  Without  know- 
ing what  offence  had  been  given,  two  gentlemen  from  Long 
Island  went  into  the  piazza,  and  were  immediately  assaulted 
by  the  sentinels  with  drawn  bayonets,  severely  wounded,  and 
taken  to  the  guard  house.  Here  they  were  held  in  confine- 
ment, until  a  sum  of  money  was  extorted  from  them.  Upon 
a  complaint  being  made  to  the  officers,  a  pretended  inquiry 
was  had,  and  the  testimony  of  the  complainants  was  borne 
down  by  the  denial  of  the  parties  charged.     They  were  dis- 

*  Holt's  paper. 

10 


74  LIFE    OF   JOHN    LAMB. 

missed  without  redress;  but  the  next  day,  the  money  which 
they  had  been  compelled  to  pay,  was  returned  to  them.* 

On  the  8th  July,  it  was  announced  that  Lord  Dunmore, 
having  been  appointed  Governor  of  Virginia,  Mr.  Tryon  was 
transferred  from  North  Carolina  to  New- York,  in  his  stead. 
Perhaps  the  vigilance  which  he  had  displayed,  in  quieting 
the  disturbances  in  his  former  government,  was  a  motive  to 
the  transfer;  and  that  the  Ministry,  anticipating  farther  oc- 
casion for  the  exercise  of  a  vigorous  administration,  consi- 
dered his  capacities  in  that  respect  of  some  importance.! 
The  retiring  Governor  was  complimented  on  his  departure> 
and  his  successor  was  received  with  the  same  congratulations, 
which  are  usual  on  such  occasions.J  The  Governor  renew- 
ed to  the  Assembly^  the  apprehension  of  a  rupture  with 
Spain,  in  consequence  of  the  seizure  of  Port  Egmont  by 
the  Spaniards  in  the  South  Sea,  and  received  from  the  House 
the  same  complaisance  and  assurances  which  they  had  given 
to  his  predecessor. 

In  the  ensuing  spring  (1772),  a  complaint  was  hatched 
up  against  Sears,  who  had  been  inspector  of  pot  ashes,  of 
malversation  in  office;  and  though  the  charge  was  sufficiently 
rebutted,  the  refutation  did  not  avail  to  save  him  from  dis- 
mission. Sears,  who  had  been  so  conspicuous  in  the  trans- 
actions growing  out  of  the  meeting  of  19th  December,  1769, 
and  the  imprisonment  of  McDougall,  was  displaced;  and 
Montangnie,  whose  house  had  been  adopted  as  the  resort  of 
the  government  party,  appointed  in  his  stead. 

The  ardency  of  the  repeal  celebrations  was  beginning  to 
decline;  and  if  any  were  held,  the  toasts  and  ceremonies  of 
the  occasion  do  not  appear  to  have  been  published.  The 
people  seemed  to  have  acquired  a  more  correct  estimate  of 
the  quantum  of  gratitude  due  to  Lord  Chatham  for  his  ser- 
vices to  America;  and  many  were  disposed  to  think  him  a 
better  friend  to  the  King  and  to  himself,  than  to  the  votaries 
of  liberty  in  either  hemisphere;  for  some  of  them,  on  the 

*  Holt's  paper.        t  Idem.         t  Idem.         §  Assembly  Journals. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  75 

21st  May,  committed  slight  mutilations  of  the  statue,  erected 
to  his  honor  in  1770  * 

The  imposition  of  the  duty  on  tea  had  been  particularly 
insisted  upon  by  the  Minister,  notwithstanding  the  East  In- 
dia Company  had  offered  to  pay  double  the  amount  of  the 
revenue,  to  be  derived  from  this  impost  in  America,  pro- 
vided the  Parliament  would  repeal  it.  The  refusal  to  abolish 
this  tax,  was  an  illustration  of  the  principle  which  the  ad- 
herents of  the  Crown  had  established,  and  resolved  to  main- 
tain: and  it  claimed  from  the  Colonies,  a  resolution  as  fixed 
and  as  inflexible,  as  that  of  the  Minister.  They  still  con- 
tinued to  reject  the  tea,  and  to  preserve,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  league  of  non-importation  of  that  commodity.  To  weak- 
en this,  and  to  force  a  farther  consumption,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  East  India  Company,  the  Parliament  granted  a  drawback 
upon  the  exportation  to  the  Colonies,  to  the  full  amount  of 
the  duty  imposed  in  England;  hoping  that  the  decreased 
price  of  the  commodity  to  the  Colonial  consumers,  which 
this  would  enable  the  Company  to  afford,  and>hich  was  four 
times  the  amount  of  the  impost,  would  induce  them  to  aban- 
don the  league.  But  the  patriots  were  not  to  be  caught  by 
this  new  device;  and  they  resolved  to  maintain  their  princi- 
ples and  covenant  unimpaired.  As  soon  as  it  was  known 
that  this  new  act  had  passed,  and  that  vessels  with  large 
shipments  had  been  ordered  for  America,  the  Colonists  re- 
solved to  exclude  their  cargoes  from  entry .f 

On  the  20th  October,  1773,  they  declared  Tea  Commission- 
ers, and  Stamp  Distributors,  alike  obnoxious,  and  passed  votes 
of  thanks  to  the  masters  of  vessels,  who  had  refused  their  ships 
to  the  use  of  the  East  India  Company.  They  so  emphati- 
cally denounced  its  importation,  that  some  of  the  commission 
merchants  at  home,  refused  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
shipment^  declaring  that  they  would  not  insure  against  its 
destruction,  for  twenty-five  per  cent  premium.  A  certain 
Mr.  Kelly,  former  resident  of  the  city,  then  in  London,  and 

*  Holt's  paper.  f  Idem.  $  Idem. 


76  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

canvassing  some  one  of  the  Ministerial  Boroughs  for  an 
election  to  Parliament;  ridiculed  these  apprehensions,  and 
declared,  that  if  animosities  should  rise  as  high  as  during  the 
times  of  the  Stamp  Act,  the  tea  might  safely  be  shipped, 
and  securely  landed.  That  then,  the  Colony  had  an  old  man 
to  deal  with;  but  now,  they  would  have  to  contend  with  a 
vigorous  military  Governor;  one  who  had  shown  his  energy 
in  putting  down  insurrectionary  movements  in  North  Caro- 
lina. The  Committe  of  Vigilance  took  due  note  of  these 
offensive  declarations,  and  on  the  5th  November  called  a 
meeting  at  the  Coffee  House.*  The  people  assembled,  de- 
nounced Kelly,  and  burnt  his  effigy;  and  after  the  represent- 
ative was  consumed,  a  gentleman  observed,  that  it  was  mat- 
ter of  regret,  that  the  principal  could  not  be  dealt  with  in 
the  same  summary  and  exemplary  manner.f 

The  three  Tea  Commissioners  appointed  for  New  York, 
cautioned  by  these  indications,  on  the  10th,  declined  their 
appointment; J  and  it  was  given  out  that  the  tea,  when  land- 
ed, would  be  taken  to  the  public  stores,  until  a  convenient 
time  should  arrive  to  reship  it  to  England.  It  was  known 
that  the  ships  had  sailed  on  the  26th  October,  but  by  stress 
of  weather,  they  were  compelled  to  put  back,  and  were  only 
waiting  a  favorable  wind  to  resume  their  voyage. 

On  the  25th,  the  Mohawks  §  were  notified  to  be  in  readi- 
ness on  the  arrival  of  the  ships,  and  called  upon  to  be  on 
the  alert  for  any  sudden  emergency.  On  the  29th  Novem- 
ber, the  Sons  of  Liberty  formally  reorganized  themselves 
and  passed  the  following  resolves  : 

*  Holt's  paper.  t  Idem.  J  Idem. 

§  This  is  the  first  time  that  this  designation  is  used  in  the  proceedings 
of  the  Committee,  and  this  notice  affords  the  strongest  evidence  of  the 
united  action  of  the  Bostonians,  with  their  compatriots  of  New  York-,  be- 
tween whom,  constant  communication  was  kept  up.  That  the  destiny  of 
the  tea  in  both  places,  and  the  mode  of  its  destruction  was  resolved  upon, 
is  certain  ;  and  it  is  entirely  owing  to  the  arrival  of  the  condemned  article 
in  Boston,  having  preceded  that  shipped  for  New  York,  that  the  Mohawks 
of  the  former  place,  were  first  called  into  action. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  77 

Resolved,  That  whoever  shall  aid  or  abet,  or  in  any  man- 
ner assist  in  the  introduction  of  tea  from  any  place  whatso- 
ever into  this  Colony,  while  it  is  subject,  by  a  British  act  of 
Parliament,  to  the  payment  of  a  duty  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing a  revenue  in  America,  he  shall  be  deemed  an  enemy  to 
the  liberties  of  America. 

Resolved,  That  whoever  shall  be  aiding  or  assisting  in  the 
landing  or  carting  of  such  tea  from  any  ship,  or  vessel,  or  shall 
hire  any  house,  storehouse,  or  cellar,  or  any  place  whatsoever 
to  deposit  the  tea,  subject  to  such  duty,  as  aforesaid,  he  shall 
be  deemed  an  enemy  to  the  liberties  of  America. 

Resolved,  That  whoever  shall  sell  or  buy,  or  in  any  man- 
ner contribute  to  the  sale  or  purchase  of  tea,  subject  to  duty 
as  aforesaid,  or  shall  aid  or  abet  in  transporting  such  tea,  by 
land  or  water,  from  this  city  until  the  7th  Geo.  III.  Chap.  46, 
commonly  called  the  revenue  act,  shall  be  totally  and  clearly 
repealed,  he  shall  be  deemed  an  enemy  to  the  liberties  of 
America. 

Resolved,  That  whether  the  duties  on  tea,  imposed  by  this 
act,  be  paid  in  Great  Britain  or  in  America,  our  liberties  are 
equally  affected. 

Resolved,  That  whoever  shall  transgress  any  of  these  re- 
solutions, we  will  not  deal  with  or  employ,  or  have  any  con- 
nection with  him.* 

The  owners  and  occupants  of  all  stores,  were  forbidden  to 
harbor  the  tea;  and  all  infractors  of  this  prohibition,  were 
threatened  as  enemies  of  the  liberty  of  their  country.  The 
patriots  of  both  sexes,  were  solemnly  adjured  to  abstain  from 
the  use  of  the  prohibited  commodity;  as  every  cup  of  tea 
consumed,  might  be  the  cause  of  shedding  oceans  of  blood, 
in  the  contest  which  would  ensue,  if  receiving  too  much  en- 
couragement from  its  use,  the  Ministers  should  resolve  to 
force  its  reception/)-  And  all  were  exhorted  to  imitate  South 
Carolina,  who  had  resolved  on  its  rejection,  and  refused  it 
entrance. 

*  Handbills  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  Library.  f  Holt's  paper. 


78  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Vigilance  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty. — Boston  Tea  Ships  arrive. — That 
for  New- York  expected. — Tryon  resolves  to  force  the  Landing. — Deter- 
mination to  exclude  it. — Meeting  of  the  Citizens. — Committee  of  Fif- 
teen.— Tea  Destroyed  at  Boston. — New-York  Tea  Ship  blown  off  the 
Coast. — Arrives  and  taken  Possession  of  by  the  Committee. — Ship  Lon- 
don arrives. — Searched  —  Tea  found  and  Destroyed. — Committee  send 
back  the  Tea  Ship  without  unloading, — Stringent  Measures  against 
Boston. — Committee  of  Fifty-One  against  reviving  Non-importation 
League. — Overruled. — General  Congress. — Boards  and  Straw  for  the  Bar- 
racks at  Boston  stopped. — Sons  of  Liberty  propose  to  arm  and  equip 
themselves. — Provincial  Congress. — Rum  seized  and  sent  to  Concord. 
— Custom  House  closed. — General  Armament  of  the  Whigs. 

The  Sons  of  Liberty,  under  their  new  organization,  were 
not  negligent  of  their  duty  on  any  emergency.  News  had 
reached  them,  on  the  15th  December,  that  the  Boston  tea 
ships  had  arrived,  and  that  the  New- York  shipments  were 
expected  soon  to  follow.  At  the  same  time,  intelligence 
was  received  of  the  signal  punishment  inflicted  upon  an  ob- 
noxious officer  of  the  customs  at  Boston.  This  was  hailed 
with  hearty  acclamation  and  concurrence  by  the  citizens; 
and  with  a  firm  determination  to  imitate  their  intrepid  east- 
ern brethren.  Much  speculation  was  indulged,  respecting 
the  measures  which  the  Governor  would  adopt  upon  the  ar- 
rival of  the  tea.  The  officers  of  the  Crown,  and  their  adhe- 
rents, were  firm  in  their  belief  that  the  Governor  ought  and 
would  compel  it  to  be  landed.  On  one  occasion  this  matter 
was  the  subject  of  discussion;  and  a  British  officer,  hearing 
some  disbelief  of  the  landing  expressed,  replied  that  there 
need  be  no  farther  doubt  of  the  Governor's  intentions,  for  he 
had  heard  him  that  morning  declare,  that  the  tea  should  be 
landed,  even  if  it  was  to  be  sprinkled  with  blood.  Mr. 
Lamb,  who  was  present,  asked  if  such  were  really  the  Gov- 
ernor's declarations;  and  upon  the  officer  again  making  the 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  79 

assertion,  and  vouching  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  threat — 
Then,  sir,  was  the  rejoinder  of  Lamb,  tell  him  from  me,  that 
the  tea  shall  not  be  landed;  and  if  force  is  attempted  to  effect 
it,  his  blood  will  be  the  first  shed  in  the  contest;  the  people 
of  the  city  are  firmly  resolved  on  that  head.* 

On  the  16th  December,  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  con- 
vened at  the  City  Hall;  and  on  the  next  day,  the  notice  in- 
viting all  the  friends  of  liberty  and  property  to  join  them; 
a  very  large  concourse  of  people  accordingly  assembled,  and 
were  addressed  by  Mr.  Lamb.f  He  stated  the  object  of  the 
call,  explained  the  views  and  intentions  of  the  government, 
the  glorious  resistance  already  begun  in  Boston,  and  read 
letters  from  the  patriots  at  that  place  and  of  Philadelphia; 
which  indicated  the  attitude  which  they  were  resolved  to 
assume  and  maintain;  and  called  upon  every  true  lover  of 
liberty  to  emulate  their  devotion.  A  Committee  of  Fifteen, 
of  which  he  was  one,  were  chosen  to  reply  to  these  letters; 
and  resolves  were  proposed,  pledging  the  support  of  New 
York  to  their  brethren  abroad,  and  expressive  of  a  firm  de- 
termination to  resist  to  the  uttermost. 

At  this  meeting,  the  public  were  notified,  that  the  East 
India  Company,  not  having  been  able  to  induce  the  colonial 
shipmasters  to  take  on  board  the  tea,  had  chartered  other 
vessels:  that  part  of  them  had  arrived,  and  the  one  destined 
for  New  York,  might  be  hourly  expected.  Resolves,  de- 
nouncing as  enemies  of  the  country,  all  who  should  give 
countenance  to  the  introduction  of  the  repudiated  commodity, 
were  unanimously  adopted.  J  The  Mayor,  and  the  Recorder, 
had  by  this  time  joined  the  meeting.  They  brought  assu- 
rances from  Gov.  Tryon,  that  when  the  tea  arrived,  it  should 
be  publicly  brought  into  the  Fort,  and  kept  there,  until  the 
Council  should  give  advice,  or  that  the  King,  or  the  proprie- 
tors gave  orders  for  its  issue;  and  then,  it  should  be  sent  out, 

*  Family  tradition. 

t  Handbills  Historical  Society  Library. 

J  Handbills  Historical  Society. 


80  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

as  publicly  as  it  was  received.  This  artifice  was  not  suc- 
cessful. 

Mr.  Lamb  pointed  out  to  the  meeting  the  danger  of  com- 
pliance with  the  Governor's  scheme ;  he  read  the  act  of  Par- 
liament, which  prescribed  the  payment  of  the  duties,  on  be- 
ing landed,  and  reminded  the  people,  that  the  landing  in  any 
shape,  would  be  an  infraction  of  their  resolves,  and  pregnant 
of  danger  in  every  respect.  He  then  put  the  question,  "  shall 
the  tea  be  landed  V  and  there  was  an  emphatic  and  unani- 
mous response  of  No  !  three  times  repeated.  The  meeting 
then  adjourned  until  the  expected  vessel  should  make  her  ap- 
pearance. The  day  before  this  meeting,  the  people  of  Bos- 
ton, by  the  destruction  of  the  tea  in  their  harbor,  had  consum- 
mated their  pledge  of  resistance,  and  given  full  assurance  to 
England,  and  the  World,  of  their  future  intentions. 

The  news  of  the  second  rehearsal  of  the  great  drama  of  the 
Revolution,  was  received  by  the  patriots  of  New  York  with 
stern  delight,  and  all  who  had  the  sagacity  to  foresee,  and 
courage  to  breast  the  inevitable  storm,  prepared  to  meet  it 
with  determined  resolution.  Gov.  Tryon,  being  ordered 
home  for  a  conference  with  the  Ministry,  in  regard  to  the 
disputes  of  the  New  York  patentees,  with  the  claimants  under 
the  New  Hampshire  grants,  and  determining  to  sail  for  Eng- 
land, prorogued  the  Assembly  until  the  17th  May,  1774. 

A  short  time  after  the  grand  destruction  at  Boston,  a  small 
quantity  of  tea  was  discovered  at  the  eastward,*  and  disposed 
of  in  the  same  manner,  by  the  resolute  band  who  had  de- 
stroyed the  first  shipments.  This  transaction  is  alluded  to  in 
the  following  letter  : 

*  Perhaps  part  of  that  alluded  to  in  the  following  notice: 
A  number  of  the  Mohawks  at  Cape  Cod,  will  take  care  of  any  tea  that 
may  escape  the  wreck  of  Capt.  Loring's  vessel. 
The  making  Boston  Harbor  into  tea, 
And  those  who  made,  and  those  who  helped  to  make  it ; 
The  toasts  of  all  Americans  will  be, 
Nor  one  true  Briton,  will  refuse  to  take  it. 
— Handbills  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  Library. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  81 

Boston,  28th  March,  1774. 

"  You  have  no  doubt  heard  the  particulars,  relating  to  the 
last  twenty-eight  chests  of  tea;  it  was  disposed  of  in  the 
same  manner,  as  I  informed  you  of  the  other,  and  should  five 
hundred  more  arrive,  it  will  go  in  the  same  way.  Yesterday, 
a  vessel  arrived  here  from  Antigua,  the  Captain  says  your 
tea  vessel  was  to  sail  three  days  after  him,  so  by  the  next 
post,  I  expect  to  hear  a  good  account  of  it. 

Your  humble  servant, 

Paul  Revere* 
Mr.  John  Lamb.I 

The  ship  Nancy,  Capt.  Lockyier,  on  board  of  which,  the 
tea  for  New  York  was  laden,  had  long  been  expected;  and  no 
intelligence  being  received  from  her,  it  was  conjectured  that 
she  had  met  the  fate  of  one  of  the  four  ordered  to  Boston, 
which  had  suffered  shipwreck  on  the  coast;  but  by  an  arrival 
from  Antigua,  it  was  ascertained  that  she  had  been  blown  off 
the  coast,  and  compelled  to  bear  away  for  that  place.  The 
masters  of  the  American  vessels  there,  had  communicated  to 
the  Captain,  the  newspapers  containing  the  proceedings  of 
the  Colonists,  indicative  of  the  fate  which  awaited  him  on 
his  arrival;  to  which  he  wisely  resolved  to  yield  without  a 
struggle,  and  to  make  no  farther  stay,  than  to  afford  sufficient 
time  to  enter  protest,  that  he  might  discharge  his  duty  to  his 
owners.  On  the  7th  April,  Gov.  Tryon  embarked  for  Eng- 
land, devolving  the  Government  upon  Lieut.  Gov.  Colden. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  elements  had  espoused  the  cause  of  the 
Colonies,  and  declared  war  against  the  doomed  tea  vessel; 
for  on  her  passage  from  Antigua,  she  again  encountered  a 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

f  This  supplemental  destruction,  is  not  mentioned  in  any  history  which 
has  come  under  the  writer's  observation ;  and  it  is  not  even  noted  in  the 
published  transactions  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  Yet  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  event  took  place,  as  the  writer  of  the  letter,  was 
one  of  the  most  reliable  of  the  eastern  patriots,  and  undoubtedly  concerned 
in  the  original  transaction  of  16th  December.  He  was  in  1774  and  5,  the 
confidential  messenger  from  the  Committee  of  Boston  to  the  General  Con- 
gress, and  to  the  Committee  of  New  York,  and  subsequently  a  Lieut. 
Colonel  of  the  Massachusetts  troops. 

11 


82  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

severe  gale,  which  carried  away  her  mizzen  mast,  and 
delayed  her  arrival.  At  length,  on  the  18th  April,  the 
Nancy,  Capt.  Lockyier,  made  her  appearance.*  The  Com- 
mittee of  Vigilance  had  given  instructions  to  the  pilots 
to  detain  this  vessel  at  the  Hook;  and  having  information 
from  their  correspondents  at  Philadelphia,  that  a  Captain 
Chambers  of  the  ship  London,  who  had  refused  to  receive 
any  tea  on  a  former  voyage,  and  had  been  specially  thanked 
for  his  patriotism  by  the  citizens,  had  now  on  board  eighteen 
chests  of  the  contraband  commodity;  they  gave  similar  in- 
structions to  detain  that  vessel  also,  in  case  of  her  arrival. 
On  the  arrival  of  the  Nancy,  a  part  of  the  Committee  pro- 
ceeded on  board;  and  the  captain  being  desirous  of  procuring 
the  necessary  supplies  to  enable  him  to  refit  his  vessel,  beg- 
ged permission  to  come  up  to  town  for  that  purpose.  This 
request  was  acceded  to,  and  on  his  arrival  at  the  wharf  next 
day,  he  was  met  by  the  Committee  and  a  large  concourse  of 
citizens. 

The  Committee  gave  strict  orders  that  he  should  not  ap- 
proach the  Custom  House.  They  escorted  him  to  the  con- 
signee of  the  vessel,  who  declined  to  have  any  thing  to  do 
with  the  cargo,  and  advised  the  captain  to  return  with  all 
dilligence.  Every  facility  was  granted  in  furnishing  the 
supplies,  and  preparing  the  ship  for  sea:  but  the  men  were 
prevented  from  landing  by  their  watchful  conservators.  The 
citizens  were  notified  that  they  would  be  called  to  witness 
the  departure  of  Captain  Lockyier,  at  the  appointed  time; 
and  were  required  to  be  in  readiness  to  attend.  The  next 
day,  the  20th,  another  vessel  arrived,  and  the  Committee 
being  anxious  to  test  the  accuracy  of  the  information  received 
from  Philadelphia,  interrogated  the  commander,  Capt.  Law- 
rence, who  gave  the  most  unequivocal  corroboration-!  Two 
days  after,  the  London,  Captain  Chambers,  made  her  appear- 
ance.;];    The  pilot,  on  boarding  him,  asked  if  he  had  any  tea 

*  Gaines's  paper.  f  Ibid.  t  Ibid. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  So 

on  board,  which  he  strongly  denied:  she  was  brought  into 
the  Hook,  and  visited  by  two  of  the  Committee.  Chambers 
persisted  in  his  denial;  and  they  claimed  a  sight  of  his 
cockets  and  of  his  manifest;  and  in  neither  did  they  find 
evidence  of  the  prohibited  lading.  The  vessel  was  ordered 
to  town,  still  under  the  charge  of  the  Committee.  The  de- 
claration had  been  so  positive  against  the  Captain,  that  the 
whole  Committee  proceeded  to  the  ship,  and  reiterated  the 
demand  for  the  suspected  article.  He  still  persisted  in  his 
denial;  but  upon  an  order  being  given  that  the  hatches 
should  be  opened;  and  being  informed  that  every  package 
would  be  overhauled,  he  confessed  that  he  had  eighteen 
chests  on  board:  not  of  the  East  India  Company's,  but  ship- 
ped on  his  own  account. 

The  obnoxious  lading  was  declared  confiscated  in  due  form; 
the  people  were  made  acquainted  with  the  fact;  and  the  Mo- 
hawks were  ordered  to  be  ready  at  the  appointed  hour.  But 
the  populace  were  impatient  of  delay;  and  crowding  on 
board  the  vessel,  resolved,  themselves,  to  execute  judgment. 
The  Committee  then  stationed  a  proper  guard  below,  to  pre- 
vent waste;  and  when  the  offending  packages  were  dis- 
covered, they  were  hoisted  on  deck,  and  emptied  into  the 
slip.  The  captain  had  wisely  determined  not  to  witness  the 
destruction  of  his  tea:  and  fortunately  for  him,  was  no  where 
to  be  found.  These  ceremonies  were  finished  by  11  o'clock 
in  the  evening:!  and  being  enjoined  to  appear  next  day  at 
the  ringing  of  the  bells,  the  citizens  dispersed.  At  eight, 
the  next  day,  the  23d,  the  promised  notice  was  given;  and 
an  immense  concourse  assembled  at,  and  about  the  Coffee 
House.  The  band  was  ordered  to  play  God  save  the  King; 
and  Captain  Lockyier  was  brought  out  under  an  escort  of 
the  Committee.  The  people  now  called  out  loudly  for  Cap- 
tain Chambers,  that  he  might  be  sent  away  in  the  Nancy,  but 
he  was  not  forthcoming  for  the  occasion. {     Captain  Lock- 

*  Gaines's  paper.  t  Ibid.  J  Ibid.  §  Ibid. 


84  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

yier  was  placed  on  board  a  pilot  boat,  still  under  escort,  who 
carried  him  on  board  his  ship,*  and  saw  him  fairly  under 
weigh  and  standing  out  to  sea.  During  these  proceedings, 
the  ships  in  the  harbor  displayed  their  colors,  and  the  flag 
was  hoisted  at  the  Liberty  Pole  under  a  royal  salute  of 
artillery. 

For  some  days  the  people  were  anxious  to  discover  what 
had  become  of  Capt.  Chambers,  and  a  vigilant  search  was 
made  for  him:  but  it  was  satisfactorily  ascertained,  that  he 
had  taken  passage  to  England  with  Captain  Lockyier;  and 
their  solicitude  declined. 

It  is  traditional  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Lamb,  that  in  these 
proceedings,  and  in  those  of  an  earlier  date,  of  similar  cha- 
racter, he  bore  a  conspicuous  part:  and  as  he  was  not  a  man 
to  give  counsel  to  others,  that  he  was  not  himself  prepared 
to  act  upon;  there  can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  he  was  fore- 
most in  the  execution  of  this  act  of  political  expediency,  and 
summary  justice.  An  etching  on  copper,  describing  the 
event,  done  by  him  and  published  at  the  time,  is  alluded  to 
in  a  letter  of  the  Committee  of  Philadelphia:  a  copy  of  which 
was  long  preserved  in  the  family,  but  it  can  not  now  be 
found. 

The  Bostonians  had,  on  the  13th  May,  in  town  meeting, 
passed  resolves  of  non-importation  from  the  Mother  Country: 
and  to  render  this  measure  more  efficient,  to  discontinue 
trade  to  the  West  India  Colonies  of  every  nation.  This  took 
place  on  the  day  of  the  arrival  of  Governor  Gage;  and  was 
announced  to  the  Spartan  Band  in  New  York,  by  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  a  talented  and  active  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Boston: 

Boston,  May  13,  1774. 
Dear  Sir:  At  length,  the  perfect  crisis  of  American  poli- 
tics seems  arrived;  and  a  very  few  months  must  decide, 
whether  we  and  our  posterity  shall  be  slaves  or  freemen. 
Calamitous  as  it  seems,  I  do  not  regret  that  my  lot  is  cast  in 
this  barrier  of  the  suffering  States.     Our  great  man  is  this 

*  Gaines's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  85 

day  landed  at  Castle  William,  where  he  is  now  in  company 
with  the  celebrated  Mr.  Hutchinson,  from  whom,  undoubt- 
edly, he  is  taking  his  cue  of  government.  The  General's 
orders  are  said  to  be  very  large;  and  some  give  out  that  very 
bitter  things  are  in  contemplation  against  us;  the  execution 
or  dispensation  of  which,  will  altogether  depend  on  the 
part  the  other  Colonies  will  take  in  the  contest.  Lord 
North  endeavors  to  still  the  rising  rage  of  his  countrymen, 
by  assuring  them  that  no  other  Province  will  in  the  least, 
countenance  the  rebellious  Bostonians;  and  in  such  case,  he 
determines  to  make  them  sorely  repent  their  refractory  con- 
duct towards  government. 

We  have  had  a  very  large  and  respectable  meeting  this 
day,  at  which  were  present  the  principal  persons  of  all  de- 
nominations; and  many  who  have  hitherto  seemed  very  cool 
in  the  common  cause,  distinguished  themselves  in  their  zeal 
for  its  support.  The  infamous  Act  was  read,  and  descanted 
upon,  with  a  freedom  and  energy  becoming  the  orators  of 
ancient  Rome;  and  no  one  hesitated  to  declare  it,  in  every 
principle,  repugnant  to  law,  religion  and  common  sense. 

We  have  raised  a  very  respectable  committee  to  go  to  Sa- 
lem and  Marblehead,  to  settle  matters  with  our  brethren 
there,  with  whom,  however,  we  are  well  persuaded  there 
can  be  no  possible  difficulty.  The  sugar  plums  of  the  Mi- 
nister will  have  very  little  effect  on  a  people,  who  so  tho- 
roughly comprehend  his  designs.  I  presume  New  York  will 
fall  behind  none  of  her  sister  Colonies,  in  the  alacrity  and 
extent  of  her  operations.  The  question  has  been  largely 
discussed  here,  whether  the  trade  to  the  West  Indies  had 
better  be  discontinued  or  not;  and  it  passed  unanimously  in 
the  affirmative,  for  this  reason.  It  was  not  only  the  British 
Islands  which  would  be  drove  to  clamor,  but  the  French, 
Danes  and  Dutch,  whose  several  Courts  would  immediately 
be  influenced  to  remonstrate;  and  in  case  of  being  denied  sat- 
isfaction, would  address  those  passions  of  the  Minister,  which 
they  never  found  untractable  to  their  applications. 

Another  reason  for  recommending  this  voluntary  sacrifice  to 
the  whole  continent  is  to  keep  the  whole  people  as  much  on 
a  level  as  may  be;  that  avaricious  and  inconsiderate  individu- 
als may  not  be  tempted  to  be  posting  from  one  place  to  ano- 
ther, to  the  disturbance  and  discouragement  of  those  honest 
men,  who  have  resolved  to  stand  their  ground,  and  bear  their 
part  in  relieving  the  distresses  of  the  poor,  and  yielding  their 
aid  on  all  occasions  to  the  suffering  community. 


86  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  people  of  Great  Britain,  by  this  means,  will  soon  be 
convinced  of  the  good  sense  and  firm  resolution  of  the  Colo- 
nies, and  perceive  the  vanity  of  contending  with  a  country 
whose  very  inaction  must  ruin  them.  There  is  a  talk  of 
quartering  three  regiments  in  town,  of  removing  the  seat  of 
government  to  Salem,  and  putting  the  Province  under  mili- 
tary government.  These  mad  projects  will  undoubtedly  be 
essayed,  if  presumed  at  any  rate  practicable.  You  may  just- 
ly consider  this  the  last  experiment  of  a  detested  usurpation; 
which,  defeated  by  the  united  wisdom  and  virtue  of  the 
Colonists,  will  establish  our  rights,  privileges  and  immuni- 
ties, and  give  us  importance  in  the  other  three  quarters  of 
the  globe. 

My  worthy  friend,  Revere,  again  revisits  you.  No  man 
of  his  rank  and  opportunities  in  life,  deserves  better  of  the 
community.  Steady,  vigorous,  sensible  and  persevering.  I 
have  wondered  we  had  no  farther  account  of  the  Post  Office 
Scheme*  from  you.  Perhaps  the  breach  of  trust  in  Stimpson's 
Post  Rider,  has  backened  the  affair.  I  should  really  be 
sorry  it  should  fall  through  on  that  account.  We  would  not 
be  under  the  least  difficulty  in  this  Colony,  as  there  would  be 
no  change  in  the  persons  employed.  Give  my  most  cordial 
respects  to  Messrs.  Holt,  Hughes,f  and  Mott,  and  believe  me 
to  be  Sir,  Your  friend  and  brother  in  the 

Cause  of  American  Liberty, 
Mr.  John  Lamb.  Thos.  Young.  J 

The  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  enraged  at  the  manner  in 
which  their  distinguished  townsman,  Doct.  Franklin,  had 
been  abused  by  Wedderburne,  the  Solicitor-General,  upon  his 
examination  before  the  Council,  hung  and  burnt  him  in  ef- 

*  The  Post  Office  Scheme,  alluded  to  in  the  above  letter,  was  an  at- 
tempt of  William  Goddard,  publisher  of  the  Maryland  Journal,  of  Balti- 
more, to  effect  an  independent  mail  establishment.  He  held  some  cor- 
respondence with  Mr.  Lamb  upon  the  subject;  and  in  consequence  came 
to  New  York,  and  after  securing  the  co-operation  of  Mr.  Lamb  and  his 
coadjutors,  and  bearing  letters  from  them,  he  went  to  the  Eastward, 
where  all  of  the  principal  towns  met  his  project  with  favor. 

This  plan  was  so  far  matured  that  it  went  into  partial  operation,  and 
on  the  11th  May,  1775,  John  Holt,  the  publisher  of  the  New  York  Jour- 
nal, acted  as  Post-Master  for  the  city. 

t  Appendix  A.  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  87 

figy.*  And  a  short  time  afterwards,  their  compatriots  of 
New  York,  imitated  their  example;  but  they  joined  with  him 
Lord  North,  the  Minister,  and  Gov.  Hutchinson,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, whom  they  considered  equally  worthy  of  reproba- 
bation.  This  outbreak  was  not  approved  by  the  Committee 
of  Fifty,  which  was,  a  few  days  afterwards,  chosen  by  the 
citizens. 

On  the  14th  May,  ]774,  a  letter  f  had  been  written  by 
the  Committee  of  Vigilance  to  their  compatriots  of  Boston, 
recommending  to  them  the  most  vigorous  measures,  as  the 
most  effectual;  and  giving  assurance  that  the  attitude  as- 
sumed by  the  Bostonians  would  be  heartily  sustained  by  their 
brethren  in  New  York.  The  boldness  of  these  pledges,  and 
the  recent  display  of  the  energy  of  the  people,  alarmed  the 
Government  party,  and  some  of  the  more  timid  of  the  patriots; 
and  a  scheme  was  formed  to  trammel  the  people  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  restrain  them  in  future  emergencies. 

On  the  16th,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called,  in  order 
to  nominate  a  new  Committee.  It  was  proposed  that  it 
should  consist  of  twenty-five  members,  but  the  majority  de- 
termined to  extend  it  to  fifty.  On  this  list  were  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  royalists;  and  when  submitted  to  the  people,  Fran- 
cis Lewis,  one  of  their  party  was  added  to  it,  and  the  whole 
approved  by  the  majority.  From  this  nomination  Mr.  Lamb 
was  excluded,  together  with  some  other  important  leaders  of 
the  popular  party;  the  cause  of  this  exclusion  may  be  found 
in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Governeur  Morris  to 
Mr.  Penn,  dated  20th  May,  1774; J  which  will  also  illustrate 
the  character  and  designs  of  the  Committee,  as  well  as  those  of 
the  parties  excluded. 

"  In  short,  there  is  no  ruling  them;  and  now  to  leave  the 
metaphor,  the  heads  of  the  mobility  grow  dangerous  to  the 
gentry ;  and  how  to  keep  them  down  is  the  question. 

While  they  correspond  with  the  other  colonies;  call  and 

*  Handbills  New  York  Historical  Society, 
t  Lamb  papers.  X  American  Archives. 


8  8  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

dismiss  popular  assemblies;  make  resolves  to  bind  the  con- 
sciences of  the  rest  of  mankind;  bully  poor  printers,  and 
exert  with  full  force  all  their  other  tribunitial  powers;  it  is 
impossible  to  curb  them. 

But  art  sometimes  goes  farther  than  force,  and  therefore 
to  trick  them  handsomely,  a  Committee  of  Patricians  was 
to  be  nominated,  and  into  their  hands,  was  to  be  committed 
the  majority  of  the  people,  and  the  highest  trust  was  to  be 
reposed  in  them  by  a  mandate  that  they  should  take  care 
quod  republica  non  capiat  injuriam.  The  Tribunes,  through 
the  want  of  good  legerdemain  in  the  senatorial  order,  per- 
ceived the  finesse;  and  yesterday,  I  was  present  at  a  grand 
division  of  the  city;  and  there  I  beheld  my  fellow  citizens 
very  accurately  counting  their  chickens,  not  only  before  they 
were  hatched,  but  before  one  half  of  the  eggs  were  laid.*  In 
short  they  fairly  contended  about  the  future  forms  of  our 
government;  whether  it  should  be  founded  upon  aristocratic 
or  democratic  principles." 

By  great  exertions  on  the  part  of  the  loyalists,  this  Com- 
mittee was  elected,  on  the  23d,  and  immediately  assumed 
their  functions,  by  claiming  exclusive  authority.  The  first 
act  was  to  declare,  on  the  26th,  that  the  letter  of  the  14th,  to 
the  Bostonians,  had  not  emanated  from  them,  and  to  caution 
the  people  abroad  and  at  home,  that  it  was  not  to  be  deemed 
official.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Fifty-One, 
the  messenger  from  Boston  to  Philadelphia,  Paul  Revere, 
made  his  appearance,  and  delivered  the  official  proceedings 
of  the  Boston  town  meeting,  of  the  13th  May,  urging  con- 
currence on  the  part  of  New  York.  The  Committee  took  the 
matter  into  consideration,  as  of  very  serious  import,  declined 
concurrence  with  the  Boston  resolves,  and  recommended  a 
Congress  of  Delegates.  The  people  of  Baltimore,  Philadel- 
phia, and  New  Jersey,  acceded  to  the  arrangement  of  the 

*  Mr.  Morris  must  have  been  soon  afterwards  convinced,  that  the  eggs, 
which  he  supposed  yet  forthcoming,  were  at  that  moment  in  a  forward 
state  of  incubation. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  89 

Bostonians,  and  also  recommended  a  Congress,  to  assemble 
on  the  first  of  September,  leaving  New  York,  to  stand  alone 
in  refusal  to  adopt  stringent  measures  against  the  parent  go- 
vernment. The  election  of  the  Committee,  was  considered 
a  great  point  gained  by  the  loyalists,  and  Lieut.  Gov.  Colden, 
expressed  his  conviction  that  the  popular  party  was  effectu- 
ally routed.  Rivington,  the  Royal  Printer,  wrote  in  great 
triumph  to  Henry  Knox,*  a  bookseller  in  Boston,  that  the 
city  was  redeemed,  and  the  party  of  the  Crown,  lords  of  the 
ascendant.  The  following  letter  from  Doctor  Young,f  will 
exhibit  the  high  hopes  of  the  government,  that  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Fifty-One,  would  cut  off  New  York,  from  the 
great  bond  of  association. 

Boston,  19th  June,  1774. 
My  worthy  correspondent  : 

Longing  to  learn  how  my  bretheren  fared,  and  to  take  their 
pledge,  was  I,  when  Mr.  Edes  handed  me  your  most  welcome 
favor  of  the  13th  current.  It  was  read  in  a  very  important, 
and  agreeable  company,  consisting  of  Adams,  Cushing,  Quin- 
cy,  Warren,  and  others,  collected  at  the  house  of  the  latter, 
on  their  return  from  Salem.  Our  rejoicing  was  full,  from  an 
interchange  of  interesting  advices  from  all  quarters.  Your 
intelligence  was,  however,  esteemed  as  encouraging,  as  any 
we  had  from  any  part  of  the  continent.  Those  worthy  mem- 
bers of  society,  the  tradesmen,  we  depend  on,  under  God,  to 
form  the  revolution  of  the  other  ranks  of  citizens,  in  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York.  They  are  certainly  carrying  all  be- 
fore them  here.  The  yeomanry  of  our  country  towns  are 
another  effectual  support.  A  covenant  is  handing  about 
among  them,  and  signing  by  thousands,  not  to  purchase  any 
British  manufactures,  imported  from  that  Island,  after  the  3 1st 
of  August  next.  This  will  insure  a  non-importation  in  this 
province,  whether  messieurs  les  marchands,  will  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  come  into  it  or  not;  however,  there  seems  no 
disposition  at  all,  in  the  body  of  the  trade  here,  to  counteract 
the  minds  of  their  fellow  countrymen. 

*  Afterwards,  Gen.  Knox,  Comm'r  American  Artillery,  and  first  Sec'y 
of  War,  under  the  new  constitution, 
t  An  extract  from  this  letter  is  printed  in  the  first  vol.  American  Ar- 

12 


90  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  past,  has  been  an  important  week  with  us.  The  tools 
of  power,  suspecting  that  things  were  not  going  to  their 
mind,  in  the  general  court,  endeavored  to  influence  the  city 
to  come  into  some  measures  for  the  payment  of  the  tea. 
They  had  cabal  after  cabal,  and  conceited  that  they  had  ex- 
tended their  influence  so  far,  that  in  a  meeting  of  the  trades- 
men, held  last  Wednesday,  one  of  the  most  plausible  of  them 
ventured  to  recommend  it  to  their  consideration.  Some  smart 
things  were  said,  pro  and  con,  on  the  subject;  but  it  clearly 
appeared  the  general  sense,  to  submit  to  all  extremities,  be- 
fore a  shadow  of  concession  was  extorted  from  them;  much 
less,  proposed  by  them :  to  crown  this  agreeable  prospect,  on 
Friday  came  on  the  adjournment  of  the  town  meeting;  at 
which  the  citizens  attended  in  such  numbers  as  filled  the  hall, 
inasmuch  that  many  were  forced  to  retire  for  want  of  room. 
Early  in  the  meeting  it  was  observed,  that  there  had  been 
much  talk  out  of  doors,  as  well  as  writing  in  the  papers,  con- 
cerning payment  for  the  tea.  It  was  there  requested,  that 
in  case  any  gentleman  had  any  thing  to  offer  on  the  subject, 
he  would  speak  freely;  that  a  matter  of  so  much  importance, 
might  be  fairly  discussed  in  the  presence  of  the  body  of  the 
people.  But  in  vain  were  the  iEschine  called  upon  to  ex- 
pose propositions,  fit  only  to  be  whispered  in  the  conclave  of 
our  addressees,  composed  of  a  few  men,  who  deserve  better 
company,  than  the  fry  of  Scotch  pedlers,  Sandemanians,  and 
importers,  to  which  they  have  unluckily  joined  themselves. 
Thus,  administration,  notwithstanding  the  terror  of  the  fleets 
and  armies  already  invading  us,  and  hourly  expected,  have 
the  mortification  to  find,  that  in  neither  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Province,  nor  in  the  grand  meeting  of  the  Capitol, 
was  a  single  symptom  of  inclination,  to  comply  with  their 
demands,  tho'  enforced  by  a  distressing  blockade. 

I  was  yesterday  informed  that  our  Attorney-General,  who 
is  also  Judge  of  Admiralty  for  Nova  Scotia,  and  a  grand  in- 
strument of  the  British  Administration,  was  a  few  days  back, 
at  Salem,  flattering  the  members,  on  whom  he  hoped  to  make 
any  impression,  to  make  even  the  least  concession,  respect- 
ing the  payment  for  the  tea.  And  it  is  said,  the  tories 
are  now  taking  up  a  private  subscription  for  that  purpose. 
If  they  choose  to  do  so  silly  a  thing,  we  can  not  help  it;  but 
it  will  certainly  be  but  a  poor  triumph  for  the  Minister,  if  he 
may  even  be  enabled  to  pretend,  that  a  few  of  his  own  tools 
have  lent  their  names  to  cover  his  defeat. 

I  am  certainly  informed,  the  soldiers  desert  in  great  num- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  91 

bers.  Eighty  have  left  the  regiment  at  the  Castle,  and  a 
schooner  sent  up  into  one  of  our  rivers,  has  lost  all  her  hands. 
Two  soldiers  went  off  from  these  new  comers,  and  the  officers 
are  in  a  peck  of  troubles,  how  to  proceed  wTith  them.  They 
say,  should  they  send  privates  after  them,  it  would  be  send- 
ing the  hatchet  after  the  helve;  and  did  they  go  themselves, 
they  expect  nothing  but  a  rescue,  should  they  come  up  with 
them. 

Make  my  kind  compliments  to  Messrs.  Hughes,  Mott, 
Sears,  McDougall,  Roman,  and  all  the  true  Sons  of  Liberty 
with  you.  Mr.  Rivington  may  be  enquired  of,  whether  he 
did  not  lately  write  a  letter  to  a  gentleman  in  this  town,  con- 
taining a  paragraph  of  this  import,  "  You  may  rest  assured, 
no  non  im :  nor  non-exportation,  will  be  agreed  upon,  either 
here  or  at  Philadelphia.  The  power  over  our  crowd,  is  no 
longer  in  the  hands  of  Sears,  Lamb,  and  such  unimportant 
persons,  who  have  for  six  years  past,  been  the  demagogues  of 
a  very  turbulent  faction  in  this  city;  but  their  power,  and 
mischievous  capacity,  expired  instantly  upon  the  election  of 
the  Committee  of  Fifty-One;  in  which  there  is  a  majority  of 
inflexibly  honest,  loyal,  and  prudent  citizens." 
I  am  with  much  esteem, 

Your  friend  and  fellow  sufferer, 

Thos.  Young. 
Mr.  John  Lamb.* 

As  evidence  of  the  prudence  of  many,  who  at  the  time,  in- 
tended to  hold  on  to  the  popular  party,  but  who  were  un- 
willing to  "  define  their  position,"  the  following  letter  is  ad- 
duced:* 

Boston,  7th  July,  1774. 
Kind  Sir  : 

I  have  enclosed  you  a  letter  and  pamphlet  for  Mr.  Hughes, 
which  I  take  it,  will  however,  in  some  measure,  be  common 
property  among  you.     The  letter  is  left  open  for  your  perusal. 

The  paragraph  taken  from  Rivington's  letter,  was  done 
literatim  by  my  own  hand,  and  you  may  aver  it  to  be  genuine, 
if  you  please.  Mr.  J.  Quincy  also  saw  the  letter,  by  Mr. 
Knox's  permission,  and  can  doubtless  quote  it  from  memory. 
If  Rivington  is  charged,  he  will  hardly  deny  it.  I  do  not 
believe  he  laid  Mr.  Knox  under  any  obligation  of  secrecy; 
however,  as  I  had  it  not  by  direct  leave  from  Mr.  Knox,  (be- 

*Lamb  papers,  His.  Soc. 


92  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

ing  indeed,  affraid  to  apply  for  an  extract,  and  be  refused),  I 
would  not  wish  to  be  drawn  into  question. 

Treasonable  letters,  you  know,  are  ticklish  things.  Mr. 
Quincy  is  absent  on  the  circuit,  and  probably  a  suppression 
of  the  affair  'till  he  returns,  and  we  can  consult  a  further 
step,  might  be  advantageous. 

Freely  and  frequently  write, 

Your  devoted  serv't, 

Thos.  Young. 
Mr.  John  Lamb. 

The  Committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  constantly  on 
the  watch,  to  detect  infractions  of  the  Massachusetts  resolves, 
and  the  Chairman  of  a  Committee  of  Merchants,  directed  an 
address  to  the  Fifty-One,  to  know  "  whether  those  persons 
who  style  themselves  a  Committee,  and  have  called  upon  se- 
veral of  our  citizens  to  inquire  into  their  private  business, 
were  authorized  by  you,  and  whether  you  approve  of  their 
conduct  in  doing  so  ?"*  Of  course  the  Fifty-One  replied  in 
the  negative,  and  denounced  the  Committee  of  Vigilance. 
They,  on  the  other  hand,  had  become  satisfied  of  the  inten- 
tions of  the  Fifty-One,  to  paralize  the  energies  of  the  people, 
and  they  resolved  to  frustrate  their  designs.  A  meeting  was 
called  by  handbills,  and  agreably  to  notice,  a  very  large 
number,  on  the  19th  June,  convened  in  the  fields.f  The 
citizens  were  notified  of  the  refusal  of  the  Committee  of 
Fifty- One  to  accede  to  the  general  union,  and  invited  to 
some  speedy  action,  to  further  the  general  good.  The  cruel 
situation  of  their  brethren  in  Boston  was  placed  before  them, 
and  they  were  exhorted  to  express  a  determination  to  imi- 
tate their  devotion,  and  to  sustain  them  in  all  emergencies. 
Resolves  were  passed  to  that  effect,  and  also,  that  delegates 
be  appointed  to  the  proposed  Congress,  instructed  to  accede 
to  a  rigorous  non-intercourse,  in  accordance  with  the  Boston 
resolutions.  The  proceedings  of  this  meeting  were  despatched 
to  Boston. 

*  Holt's  paper , 

t  Lamb  papers,  and  Handbills  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  93 

The  Committee  of  Fifty-one,  now  clearly  manifested  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  chosen.  On  the  7th  July  they 
denounced  the  meeting  in  the  fields  as  unauthorized;  and  in 
violation  of  their  exclusive  right  to  call  convocations  of  the 
people.  They  reprobated  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting, 
as  tending  to  cast  odium  upon  them,  and  bring  their  authority 
into  contempt.  These  denunciations  were  read  next  day  in 
the  Committee,  of  which  thirty  were  assembled;  twenty -one 
of  whom  agreed  to  adopt  them,  and  nine  dissenting:  eight 
publicly  withdrew  their  names  from  the  Committee.  These 
were  Francis  Lewis,  Joseph  Hallet,  Alexander  McDougall, 
Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Isaac  Sears,  Thomas  Randall,  Abm. 
P.  Lott,  and  Leonard  Lispenard,f  and  the  day  after,  three 
patriotic  members,  John  Broome,  Abraham  Brasher,  and 
Jacob  Van  Zandt,  who  had  not  been  present  at  the  debates, 
but  who  disapproved  of  the  proceedings  of  the  majority,  also 
requested  that  their  names  might  be  struck  from  the  list  of 
the  Committee. 

The  Fifty-One  now  called  a  meeting.  They  had  become 
alarmed  at  the  apparent  power  of  the  minority;  and  they 
presented  a  very  prudent  manifesto,!  and  adopted  resolves, 
evidently  leaning  against  conformity  to  the  non-intercourse 
association:  and  anew,  proposed  delegates  to  the  Congress, 
to  deliberate  on  the  subject. J  The  tameness  of  the  resolves 
of  the  Committee,  did  not  suit  the  temper  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty;  and  Mr.  Lamb  published  a  handbill,  pointing  out 
their  deficiencies,  and  proposing  amendments  :§  deprecating 
every  thing  like  concession  on  the  part  of  the  people,  to  the 
great  stretch  of  regal  authority  already  exhibited;  and  any 
admission,  that  the  proceedings  of  the  Ministry  were  founded 
in  justice.  This  communication  embodied  the  sentiments  of 
a  large  part  of  the  meeting;  and  they  urged  strenuously  that 
the  delegates  to  the  Congress  should  be  required  to  pledge 
themselves  to  sustain  the  Boston  resolutions. 

*Lamb  papers  and  handbills,  His.  Soc. 
t  Idem.  t  Idem.  $  Idem. 


94  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Committee,  the  popular  party  pro- 
posed to  make  a  nomination  of  Delegates,  and  to  refer  it  to 
the  Committee  of  Mechanics  for  their  approval.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  was  proposed  to  make  the  nomination*  and 
submit  it  to  the  Freeholders  and  Freemen  for  concurrence. 
The  last  resolve  prevailed ;  and  Philip  Livingston,  John 
Alsop,  Isaac  Low,  John  Jay  and  James  Duane,  were  no- 
minated. 

A  Committee  from  the  Mechanics,  consisting  of  Abraham 
Brasher,  Theophilus  Anthony,  Francis  Van  Dyck,  Jeremiah 
Piatt,  and  Christopher  Duykink,  addressed  a  card  to  the 
nominees,  requesting  to  know  whether  they  would  support 
the  Massachusetts  resolves  in  the  approaching  Congress.  To 
this  requisition,  they  answered,  that  such  a  course  would  be 
in  accordance  with  their  individual  opinions;  but  that  the 
declaration  was  not  made,  with  the  view  of  securing  the 
popular  suffrage,  but  to  express  their  sentiments  upon  a  ques- 
tion of  such  importance. 

The  Committee  reported  the  response  to  their  constituents 
which  was  entirely  satisfactory,  and  on  the  27th  July  the 
Delegates  were  chosen  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  city. 

As  the  precursors  of  coming  events,  on  the  8th  September, 
rumors  had  reached  Connecticut  of  the  bombardment  of  Bos- 
ton, and  the  massacre  of  the  inhabitants.  The  magistrates 
of  New  Haven,  transmitted  the  intelligence  to  New  York, 
and  much  ferment  existed  during  the  prevalence  of  the  re- 
port. While  this  alarm  was  at  the  utmost,  thousands  from 
the  vicinity  of  Boston,  crowded  into  the  town,  resolved  to 
avenge  their  countrymen.  And  they  would  not  believe  the 
report  groundless,  until  they  had  actually  visited  the  place,f 
and  had  the  evidence  of  their  own  senses.  This  sudden  ris- 
ing of  the  people,  and  the  resolution  which  they  exhibited, 
might  have  admonished  the  government  party,  of  their  future 
determination. 

*  American  Archives.     Papers  of  the  day.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  95 

The  Congress,  on  assembling,  passed  resolves  for  an  asso- 
ciation for  non-importation,  and  on  the  17th  November  a 
committee  of  sixty  was  chosen,  to  superintend  the  execution 
of  the  articles;  they  were  to  hold  their  seats  until  the  first  of 
July  ensuing.  This  committee  held  a  conference  with  that 
of  the  Mechanics,  who  entered  heartily  into  the  measures  re- 
commended. 

While  these  proceedings  were  in  train,  the  patriotic  party 
in  the  city  were  thrown  into  a  violent  commotion,  by  the 
seizure  of  ten  cases  and  three  boxes  of  arms,  and  a  barrel  of 
gunpowder,  by  the  orders  of  the  Collector.*  As  these  mu- 
nitions were  on  their  way  to  the  Custom  House,  on  the  27th 
December,  a  small  party  rallied  and  took  the  powder  into 
custody,  but  before  they  could  secrete  it,  the  King's  officials, 
being  reinforced,  retook  it,  and  deposited  it  in  the  powder- 
house;  and  the  Collector,  for  their  greater  security,  sent  the 
arms  on  board  a  man  of  war,  lying  in  the  harbor. 

On  the  same  day,  a  letter  to  the  Collector  was  thrown  into 
the  post-office,  claiming  that  the  arms  were  legally  im- 
ported, and  adding,  "  from  you  we  shall  demand  these  arms, 
whenever  they  are  wanted,  which,  is  probable  will  be  soon;" 
continuing, 

"  Do  not  slight  this  admonition,  or  treat  it  as  a  vain 
menace,  for  we  have  most  solemnly  sworn  to  effect  it 
sooner  or  later;  and  you  know  our  nation  is  implacable.  We 
would  not  have  you  to  imagine  that  it  is  in  the  powder  of 
any  set  of  men,  either  civil  or  military,  to  protect  or  shield 
you  from  our  just  revenge,  which  will  be  soon  done,  and  in 
such  a  manner  as  not  to  be  known  'til  it  is  fatally  experi- 
enced by  you."     From  the 

Mohawks  and  River  Indians. 

*  These  arms  were  imported  in  the  ship  Lady  Gage,  Thos.  Mesnard, 
Comm'r,  and  were  consigned  to  Walter  Franklin.  They  were  said  to 
have  been  in  Franklin's  warehouse  for  several  days ;  and  were  seized  for 
the  want  of  cockets. 


96  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  Collector  disregarded  this  threat,  and  posted  a  copy 
of  this  letter  at  the  Coffee  House,  where  it  was  denounced; 
and  the  leading  merchants  justified  the  King's  officer.  That 
night,  a  printed  handbill  was  thrown  into  almost  every  house 
in  town.  It  was  an  exciting  appeal  to  the  patriots,  urging 
them  to  resist  an  act  so  alarming.  "  What  !"  asks  the  writer, 
"  What  is  become  of  your  former  magnanimity  and  spirit; 
ye  who  dared  to  degrade  the  Governor  of  the  Province,  and 
exhibit  his  effigy,  under  the  very  muzzles  of  his  cannon? 
Are  ye  dwindled  into  such  dastards  and  poltroons,  as  to  suf- 
fer yourselves  to  be  insulted,  and  robbed  of  your  arms,  by  a 
few  petty  custom  house  officers,  with  impunity  ?  Methinks  I 
hear  you  say,  it  can  not,  it  must  not  be  done.  *  *  *  * 
In  the  name  of  heaven,  throw  off  your  supineness;  assemble 
together  immediately;  and  go  in  a  body  to  the  Collector;  in- 
sist upon  the  arms  being  relanded,  and  that  he  must  see 
them  forthcoming,  or  abide  the  consequences.  Delays  are 
dangerous;  there  is  no  time  to  be  lost.  It  is  not  a  season  to 
be  mealy  mouthed,  or  to  mince  matters;  the  times  are  pre- 
carious and  perilous,  and  we  do  not  know  but  that  the  arms 
may  be  wanted  to-morrow."  * 

Plain  English  * 

From  the  known  boldness  and  activity  of  Mr.  Lamb,  and 
from  the  recollections  of  the  oldest  member  of  the  family,  as 
well  as  from  the  intrinsic  evidence  in  the  style  and  manner 
of  these  productions,  we  have  the  best  reason  to  believe,  that 
the  letter  to  the  Collector,  and  the  handbill  also,  were  writ- 
ten by  him. 

After  the  treachery  of  the  printer  of  Parker's  paper,  in 
1769,  which  occasioned  the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of  Mc- 
Dougall,  the  patriots,  when  their  inflammatory  appeals  had 
been  put  in  type  by  Holt  or  some  other  of  the  fraternity, 
used,  themselves,  to  work  off  at  the  press,  these  publications, 
and  circulate  them  among  the  community.  And  it  was  not 
unusual  for  Mr.  Lamb,  after  having  devoted  the  day  in  the 

*  American  Archives. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  97 

composition  of  such  papers,  to  spend  the  night  in  printing 
and  distributing  them.  The  same  is  averred  of  Marinus 
Willett,  in  the  book  of  his  son. 

News  had  reached  the  Committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty, 
that  the  Governor  of  Connecticut  in  secret  council  with  the 
Assembly,  had  directed  the  provision  of  three  hundred  bar- 
rels of  gunpowder  and  lead  in  proportion;  and  also  the 
gathering  of  a  park  of  forty  pieces  of  cannon  for  the  use  of 
the  colony.  It  was  known  that  their  militia  was  in  constant 
drill,  under  the  orders  of  a  non-commissioned  officer,  a  de- 
serter from  the  troops  at  Boston;  and  the  aspect  of  the  times 
eastward,  indicated  a  belligerent  resolution.  The  Assembly 
of  New  York,  however,  by  a  small  majority,  were  determined 
to  adhere  to  the  government.!  Motions  were  made  on  the 
26th  January  1775,  by  the  patriotic  members,  to  take  up  the 
proceedings  of  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia  with  a  view  to 
their  approval;  but  the  majority  overruled  them.  This  was 
deemed  an  important  ministerial  triumph,  and  the  Lieut.-Gov. 
Colden,  when  it  was  announced  to  him  exclaimed,  "  Lord 
now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace."  Still  the  Com- 
mittee of  Sixty,  aided  by  the  indomitable  Sons  of  Liberty, 
were  resolved  to  carry  out  the  resolves  of  the  Congress. 

On  the  16th  February,  a  ship,  the  James  of  Glasgow, 
arrived,  and  the  consignees  endeavored  to  land  the  cargo  in 
contravention  of  the  articles  of  association,  but  they  were 
prevented.  An  attempt  was  then  made  to  procure  a  posse, 
to  enable  them  to  effect  their  object;  but  the  patriotic  party 
prevailed,  and  the  ship  was  ordered  back.  A  lieutenant  of 
the  King  Fisher,  a  king's  vessel,  prevented  her  from  sailing. 
The  people  assembled  in  large  numbers,  and  waited  upon  the 
captain  of  that  vessel  (who  was  on  shore),  who  disavowed 
the  act  of  his  subordinate,  and  the  Committee,  resolved  upon 
her  departure,  directed  some  of  their  numbers  to  see  her  safe 
at  sea. 

*  American  Archives.  t  Assembly  Journals. 

J  Holt's  paper. 

13 


98  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  patriotic  party,  on  the  17th  February,  again  made  an 
attempt  in  the  Assembly  to  procure  a  sanction  to  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Congress,  by  moving  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
members  of  that  body;  which  was  defeated  by  the  majority. 
Another  motion  from  the  same  side,  of  the  23d,  directing 
the  election  of  delegates  to  the  new  Congress,  to  assemble 
the  tenth  of  May  ensuing,  shared  the  same  fate;  and  the 
Assembly,  previous  to  the  adjournment,  appointed  a  Commit- 
tee, chiefly  composed  of  members  of  the  majority;  of  which 
the  Speaker,  John  Cruger,  was  the  head;  as  a  committee  of 
deliberation  and  enquiry;  and  after  an  address,  which  the 
patriotic  members  vainly  endeavored  to  defeat  by  proposing 
amendments  to  render  it  less  subservient  to  the  Crown,  the 
House  adjourned. 

The  crisis  was  rapidly  approaching:  the  people  of  Massa- 
chusetts were  gathering  implements  and  munitions  of  war. 
Some  pieces  of  brass  artillery  had  been  deposited  at  Salem; 
and  apprehensive  that  they  might  be  converted  to  the  use  of 
the  patriots,  Governor  Gage  despatched  Lieut. -Colonel  Leslie, 
26th  February,  by  water  to  Marblehead,  to  secure  and  bring 
them  off.  In  order  to  conceal  this  movement  from  the 
citizens,  the  utmost  secresy  was  observed;  and  some  indi- 
viduals who  had  occasion  to  visit  the  castle,  were  detained 
there  until  the  sailing  of  the  expedition.*  The  troops  landed 
and  marched  to  Salem,f  but  the  pieces  had  been  removed. 
Ascertaining  that  divers  trucks  had  left  the  town  early  in  the 
morning,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion,  and  the  day  being 
Sunday,  the  track  was  easily  followed,  until  the  pursuers 
reached  an  arm  of  the  sea,  over  which  a  drawbidge  had  been 
constructed;  and  which  was  raised  to  obstruct  their  farther 
progress.^  This  draw,  Col.  Leslie  ordered  to  be  lowered, 
but  the  citizens  refused  to  comply;  alleging  that  the  road 
being  a  private  one,  they  had  a  right  to  obstruct  the  passage. 
The  colonel  then  commanded  a  boat  to  be  launched,  in  order 
to  pass  his  forces  to  the  opposite  shore.     The  people  sprang 

*  Lamb  papers.  t  Almon's  Remembrancer.  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB* 


99 


forward  with  axes,  and  soon  rendered  the  boat  unserviceable. 
The  officer,  thus  frustrated,  threatened  violence  to  the  people; 
and  blood  would  probably  have  been  shed,  had  not  a  clergy- 
man present,  prevailed  upon  the  people  to  lower  the  draw. 
The  delay  however,  was  sufficient:  the  patriots  who  had 
carried  off  the  cannon,  made  good  their  retreat,  and  the  ex- 
pedition of  the  Governor  was  frustrated.*  The  following  let- 
ter, to  Mr.  Lamb,  communicated  the  result  of  the  enterprise 
to  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  York: 

Boston,  March  1,  1775. 
Sir:  Agreeable  to  what  Mr.  Revere  wrote  you  by  last 
Monday's  post,  we,  the  subscribers,  have  this  day  met,  and 
determined  to  send  you,  weekly,  the  earliest  and  most  au- 
thentic intelligence  of  what  may  be  transacted  in  this  me- 
tropolis and  province,  relating  to  the  public  affairs  and  ge- 
neral concerns  of  America;  that  you  may  have  it  in  your 
power  to  contradict  the  many  infamous  lies,  which  are  pro- 
pagated by  the  enemies  of  our  country*  And  we  beg  it  as  a 
particular  favor,  that  you  would  appoint  or  agree  with  a 
number  of  gentlemen  for  the  above  purpose  in  your  city; 
that  we  may  have  early  information  from  you  of  whatever 
transpires  in  your  city  and  province,  of  a  public  nature.  At 
this  critical  period,  we  conceive  it  to  be  very  important  to 
the  common  cause,  to  have  weekly  or  frequent  communi- 
cations. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  serv'ts. 

Joshua  Brackett, 
Paul  Revere, 
Benj.  Edes, 
Joseph  Ward, 
Tho:  Crafts,  Junr. 
Thomas  Chase. 
Mr.  John  Lamb.| 

P.  S. — Inclosed  you  have  an  account  of  the  late  expedi- 
tion, which  terminated  to  the  honor  of  the  Americans.  In 
addition  to  the  secrecy  with  which  the  manoeuvre  to  Salem 
was  conducted,  we  inform  you  that  three  persons  were 
occasonally  at  the  Castle  on  Saturday  afternoon,  and  were 

*  Almon's  Remembrancer. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


100  .    LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

detained  there  till  ten  o'clock  on  Monday,  lest  we  should 
send  an  express  to  our  brethren  of  Marblehead  and  Salem. 
Be  pleased  to  direct  your  letters  to  Mr.  Joshua  Brackett, 
in  Boston,  innholder.* 

The  Committee  of  Sixty,  although  many  of  it  members 
were  of  the  majority  in  the  Assembly  adverse  to  the  ap- 
pointment of  delegates  to  the  new  Congress,  resolved  to  re- 
commend that  measure  to  the  people.  Accordingly,  a  noti- 
fication was  published,  calling  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders 
and  freemen  of  the  city,  at  the  Exchange,  on  the  6th  March, 
in  order  to  take  into  consideration  the  election  of  delegates 
to  a  convention  of  representatives,  from  such  of  the  counties 
as  should  adopt  the  measure,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing 
proper  persons  to  represent  the  Colony  in  the  general  Con- 
gress. This  proceeding  was  opposed  by  the  loyalists,  on 
the  ground  that  the  representatives  of  the  people  in  the  As- 
sembly had  rejected  a  motion  to  that  effect.  The  adverse  par- 
ty, however,  resolved  to  carry  out  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee,  and  on  the  day  appointed,  assembled  at  the  Liber- 
ty Pole,  under  a  banner  inscribed  "  Constitutional  Liberty," 
and  marched  in  procession  to  the  Exchange.  Not  long  after 
they  had  arrived,  the  other  party  appeared,  headed  by  some  of 
the  members  of  His  Majesty's  Council,  the  members  of  the 
Assembly  who  had  voted  against  a  delegation,  together  with 
some  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  of  the  customs.  An 
affray  was  threatened;  but  after  a  while,  the  confusion  sub- 
sided, and  it  was  determined  to  send  representatives  to  the 
Colonial  Convention,  with  instructions  to  choose  delegates 
to  the  General  Congress.  A  nomination  of  eleven  persons 
was  made  and  adopted  by  the  meeting,  and  a  day,  the  15th, 
named  for  the  election. 

When  that  day  arrived,  the  measures  recommended  on  the 
6th,  as  well  as  the  nomination  made  at  the  same  time,  were 
carried  out  by  the  people;  eight  hundred  and  twenty-six 
votes   being  in   favor,   and  one   hundred   and   sixty-three 

*  Lamb  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


101 


against  them.  The  next  day,  the  chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee gave  notice  to  the  different  counties.  Many  of  these 
came  into  the  measure,  and  on  the  20th,  a  Provincial  Con- 
gress assembled,  which  with  unanimity  appointed  represent- 
atives to  the]  General  Congress.  This  was  the  first  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  New  York. 

The  Governor  of  Massachusetts  had  determined  to  build 
barracks  for  the  troops;  and  the  people  were  equally  reso- 
lute in  their  purpose  to  prevent  him.  By  means  of  their 
vigilant  correspondents,  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  York 
became  aware  of  all  the  movements  intended  to  carry  the 
Governor's  plan  into  effect.  It  was  ascertained  that  certain 
individuals  in  the  city,  had  agreed  to  furnish  boards  for  the 
building,  and  straw  for  the  accommodation  of  the  troops.  A 
meeting  was  called  the  20th  April,  of  which  Mr.  Lamb  and 
Marinus  Willett  were  the  presiding  officers.  They  were 
addressed  by  Mr.  Lamb,  and  apprised  of  the  objects  to 
wThich  these  articles  were  to  be  applied;  and  exhorted  to  in- 
terpose and  prevent  their  shipment.  Accordingly,  a  sloop 
laden  with  boards  was  taken  into  custody  by  the  Committee, 
and  its  crew  forbidden  to  proceed  on  the  voyage;  the  straw 
for  the  same  destination  was  also  arrested.*  At  this  meeting, 
it  was  proposed  by  Sears,  that  the  people  provide  themselves 
with  arms,  and  with  twenty-four  rounds  of  ammunition, 
which  was  agreed  to.  For  proposing  this  bold  measure,! 
and  for  his  alacrity  in  carrying  into  effect  the  resolves  of 
the  meeting,  Sears  was  arrested  and  carried  before  the 
Mayor.  In  imitation  of  the  conduct  of  his  compatriot,  Mc- 
Dougall,  on  a  former  occasion,  he  refused  to  give  bail,  and 
was  committed;  but  the  populace  took  him  by  main  force 
from  the  officers,  and  bore  him  in  triumph  through  the  town.  J 

On  the  24th,  news  arrived  of  the  affair  of  Concord,  and 
the  subsequent  battle  of  Lexington.  The  people,  rousing  at 
the  intelligence,  took  possession  of  the  City  Hall,  and  armed 

*  Holt's  papers.  t  Idem. 

J  Papers  of  the  time.     Holt,  Gaine,  <§-c. 


102  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

themselves  with  the  implements  and  munitions  that  it  con- 
tained. Headed  by  Lamb,  Sears,  and  others,  they  arrested 
and  detained  all  the  vessels  in  port,  about  to  sail  for  the  pos- 
sessions of  the  British  to  the  eastward.  A  quantity  of  rum 
had  been  imported  into  the  city,  which  the  collector  of  the 
port  suspected  to  be  for  the  supply  of  the  patriots;  and  he 
accordingly  refused  to  land  it.  Mr.  Lamb,  accompanied  by 
Sears,  called  upon  Mr.  Elliott,  the  collector,  and  demanded 
the  permit;  and  upon  his  refusal  to  grant  it,  they  tendered 
him  the  amount  of  the  duties  chargeable  upon  it  when  land- 
ed. He  still  rejected  the  proffer.  He  was  then  informed 
that  the  rum  would  be  landed  in  defiance  of  the  custom  house 
regulations.  The  vessel  was  ordered  into  the  slip,  carts  were 
provided,  and  the  liquor  was  taken  out  and  carried  away. 
Lamb  and  Sears  then  returned  to  the  custom  house,  demand- 
ed the  keys  of  the  collector,  and  having  received  them,  they 
dismissed  the  officers  and  closed  the  building;  sending  no- 
tice to  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere,  of  what  they  had  done, 
and  calling  upon  all  good  patriots  to  follow  their  example. 

The  Committee  of  New  York,  received  on  the  2d  May, 
from  that  of  Boston,  the  announcement  of  the  late  hostilities, 
and  of  their  expectation  of  aid,  and  countenance,  from  their 
fellow  citizens.  They  accordingly  held  a  meeting  on  the 
5th,*  and  recommended  the  organization  and  equipment  of 
the  militia,  and  the  provision  of  ammunition.!  The  city  was 
now  aroused,  and  a  grand  Committee  of  One  Hundred  was 
chosen;  an  address  was  drawn  up, J  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  and 
Common  Council  of  London,  explanatory  of  the  views  of 
America,  in  regard  to  their  rights,  and  expressive  of  their  de- 
termination to  maintain  them.  This  address  was  signed  by 
a  large  body  of  the  citizens,  and  a  spirit  of  patriotism  and 
zeal,  pervaded  all  classes  of  the  revolutionists. 

The  grand  Committee  of  Safety  assumed  the  duties  for 
which  they  had  been  created;  a  military  association  was 

*  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper.        tldem.        J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  103 

formed,  under  the  command  of  Samuel  Broome,*  who  volun- 
teered their  services  to  carry  out  the  decrees  of  the  Commit- 
tee, whose  offer  was  accepted.  The  Committee  directed  that 
all  the  cannon  in  the  city,  not  the  property  of  the  colony, 
should  be  carried  away,  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  Lamb,f  a  sub- 
committee was  raised,  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  city 
arms,  which  had  been  taken  from  the  hall,  and  the  munitions 
in  the  magazine,  and  also  to  ascertain  the  quantity  of  arms 
and  ammunition  for  sale  in  the  city.  The  Committee  of  One 
Hundred  moved  an  humble  addressj  to  the  Lieut.  Governor, 
explaining  the  motives  to  their  appointment,  "  and  assure 
his  honor,  that  the  Committee  will  at  all  times  exert  their 
utmost  endeavors  to  promote  good  order,  and  support  the 
civil  magistrates,  as  far  as  shall  be  compatible  with  the  me- 
lancholy exigencies  of  our  public  affairs." 

But  notwithstanding  this  pacific  message,  another  sub- 
committee was  appointed,  "  to  examine  the  ground  at  or  near 
King's  bridge,  and  report  to  this  Committee,  with  all  conve- 
nient speed,  whether  it  will  answer  the  purposes  intended  by 
it."§  Mr.  Lamb  moved  a  Committee  to  present  thanks  to 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  Connecticut  forces,  (who  had 
marched  into  the  city),  for  the  solicitude  for  the  safety  of  the 
people,  which  they  had  displayed,  and  for  their  "  noble  zeal 
in  the  service  of  our  common  country,  on  this  day  of  diffi- 
culty and  danger;"§  and  he  also  moved,  that  the  corporation 
put  the  arms  of  the  city  in  a  serviceable  condition,  by  provid- 
ing them  with  steel  rammers.  || 

These  resolves  were  unanimously  adopted,  and  a  further 
resolution  was  passed,  requiring  the  importers  of  arms,  to  re- 
port to  the  Committee  the  quantity  in  their  possession,  and 
denouncing  the  sale  of  arms,  to  any  one  believed  to  be  hos- 
tile to  the  revolutionary  party. IT  To  counterbalance  these 
belligerent  movements,  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  and 
several  members  of  that  body,  in  recess,  presented  a  concilia- 
tory address  to  Gen.  Gage,  requesting  a  forbearance  of  far- 
ther hostilities. 

*  American  Archives,     fldem.     JIdem.     $Idem.     ||Idem.     ^fldem. 


104  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

War  begun. — Go venor  temporizes. — British  Troops  expected. — Congress 
recommends  no  Opposition  to  the  Landing. — Provision  of  warlike 
Stores. — Magazine  at  Turtle  Bay  seized. — Lamb  applies  for  a  Commis- 
sion— is  appointed  to  the  Artillery. — Cannon  ordered  for  the  Forts  in 
the  Highlands. — Provincial  Congress  orders  Cannon  removed  from  the 
Battery. — Removed. — Asia  fires  upon  the  Town.— Lamb's  Company 
filled  up. — Ordered  to  the  North. — Proceedings  of  Schuyler's  Army, — 
Schuyler  compelled  to  resign  the  Command. — Lamb  arrives  in  Mont- 
gomery^ Camp. — Siege  of  St.  Johns. — New  Batteries  opened.— Effi- 
ciency of  the  fire. — Attempt  to  relieve  Garrison. — Carlton  repulsed. — 
Flag  sent  into  the  Fort. — Lamb  receives  the  Surrender — takes  posses- 
sion of  the  Fort,— March  on  Montreal— arrival.— Disputes  with  the 
General.— Lamb  proposes  to  resign.— Dissuaded  by  Montgomery- 
March  on  Quebec. — 1775. 

The  curtain  had  now  risen;  the  first  Scene  in  the  great 
tragedy  to  be  enacted,  was  begun,  and  every  true  patriot  was 
determined  to  play  manfully,  the  part  which  was  to  be  alotted 
him,  in  the  coming  events.  .  An  address  was  presented  to 
Lieut.-Gov.  Golden,  on  the  11th  May,*  commenting  upon  the 
repeated  encroachments,  and  aggressions  of  the  government. 
The  sanguinary  scenes  which  had  occurred  at  the  east;  the 
hardships  to  which  their  brethren  of  Boston  had  been  sub- 
jected, and  expressing  the  resolution  of  the  citizens,  to  resist 
similar  aggressions:  and  as  a  mean  of  saving  the  city  from 
devastation  and  bloodshed,  they  requested  his  Excellency,  to 
use  his  influence  with  Gen.  Gage,  to  prohibit  the  landing  of 
such  troops  as  had  been  ordered  to  this  station.f  The  Go- 
vernor attempted  to  quiet  their  alarm;  assured  them  that  no 
forces  were  expected,  and  that  the  rumor  had  been  raised  to 
justify  the  calling  in  of  the  troops  from  the  adjoining  pro- 
vince,! which  had  gathered  under  Wooster,  and  were  now 
hanging  upon  the  borders.^     The  suggestion  was  artful,  and 

*  Holt's  paper,  American  Archives,     t  Idem.     J  Idem.     §  Idem 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  105 

more  specious  than  true,  for  troops  did  actually  arrive  at  the 
Hook,  and  were  ordered  to  Boston.*  The  Continental  Con- 
gress, anticipating  the  arrival  of  these  reinforcements  from 
England,  recommended  that  no  opposition  should  be  made 
to  their  landing.f  That  they  should  have  quiet  possession 
of  the  barracks;  but  that  they  should  not  be  permitted  to 
erect  any  fortifications.  And  they  especially  enjoined  that 
provision  of  warlike  stores  be  forthwith  made;  and  a  safe 
retreat  secured  for  the  women  and  children.^ 

The  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  addressed  a  circular 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  which  they  caused  to  be  trans- 
lated into  French,  by  Paul  Du  Simitiere,  a  talented  French- 
man, attached  to  the  patriotic  cause,  which  was  afterwards 
industriously  disseminated.^ 

In  compliance  with  these  requisitions,  in  regard  to  mu- 
nitions of  war,  an  important  service  was  planned,  and  with 
the  assistance  of  some  of  his  tried  associates,  executed  by 
Mr.  Lamb.||  A  quantity  of  military  stores  belonging  to  the 
King,  were  deposited  at  Turtle  Bay,  on  the  East  River. 
And  obtaining  a  vessel  from  Connecticut,  with  his  resolute 
band,  he  passed  up  in  the  night,  completely  surprised  the 
guard,  and  carried  off  the  contents  of  the  magazine.  This 
bold  exploit  was  of  signal  service  to  the  country.  A 
part  of  the  stores  thus  obtained,  was  sent  to  the  grand  army 
at  Cambridge,  and  the  residue,  destined  for  the  Northern 
campaign,  were  in  part,  expended  by  Lamb's  company  at 
the  siege  of  St.  Johns  some  time  afterwards.1T 

Ticonderoga  had  been  taken,  and  war  seemed  now  inevita- 
ble. Mr.  Lamb,  .therefore  determined  to  offer  his  services  to 
the  Congress.**  The  scientific  studies  necessary  to  the  prose- 
cution of  his  early  occupation,  had  been  much  cultivated  and 
improved  by  an  intimate  association  with  Christopher  Colles, 
a  skilful  engineer,  both  civil  and  military;  and  who  was  af- 


*  Holt's  paper,  American  Archives.              fldem. 

Jldem. 

§  Handbills  Historical  Society.             ||  Lamb  papers. 

IT  Idem. 

=**  American  Archives. 

14 

106  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

terwards  employed  by  the  corporation  of  the  city  to  conduct 
the  water  from  a  well  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Collect,  or  Fresh- 
water Pond,  into  the  town,  by  means  of  hydraulic  works. 
That  gentleman  was  able  and  willing  to  impart  a  portion  of 
his  knowledge  to  his  friend  and  pupil;  and  presented  him 
with  a  valuable  treatise  on  gunnery,  of  which  he  afterwards 
made  good  use.  Accordingly,  he  applied  for  a  commission, 
intimating  his  choice  of  the  artillery,  as  he  was  better  quali- 
fied for  that  arm  of  the  service  than  any  other.  Still  he  con- 
tinued an  active  and  efficient  member  of  the  Grand  Commit- 
tee,* the  duties  of  which  had  become  so  arduous  that  Edward 
Laight,f  also  an  important  member,  moved  that  no  one  should 
absent  himself  from  the  sessions  more  than  forty- eight  hours. 
The  application  of  Mr.  Lamb  was  successful,  and  he  was 
commissioned  as  captain  of  artillery,  and  ordered  to  organize 
a  company.J 

The  Lieut-Governor  had,  from  time  to  time,  prorogued  the 
Assembly;  and  on  the  return  of  Gov.  Try  on,  on  the  3d  July, 
one  of  his  first  official  acts  was  to  extend  that  prorogation.^ 
The  resumption  of  the  reins  of  government  by  that  function- 
ary, was  every  thing  but  auspicious  to  the  patriotic  cause. 
During  his  long  sojourn  in  England,  he  had  opportunities  of 
becoming  acquainted  with  the  designs  of  the  Ministry,  and 
most  probably  assisted  with  his  counsels  to  mature  their 
plans.  It  is  certain  that  his  arrival  encouraged  the  royal- 
ists; and  the  influence  which  he  had  acquired  over  them  was 
used  to  its  utmost  effect  in  thwarting  the  designs  of  the  pa- 
triots.|| 

A  boat  of  the  Asia  was  destroyed  by  the  populace,  and 
the  men  belonging  to  her  taken  to  Wooster's  camp  and  de- 
tained. The  corporation  of  the  city  directed  that  another 
boat  should  be  built  at  the  public  expense,  to  replace  the 
one  destroyed ;  but  the  carpenters  engaged  were  unwilling  to 
work,  unless  their  labors  were  sanctioned  by  the  Committee 
of  One  Hundred.  This  was  given;  and  the  Provincial  Con- 
Appendix  B.    ^American  Archives,    fldem.    §Idem.    $Idem.    ||Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  107 

gress,  on  the  2d  August,  also  disavowed  the  act  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  approved  the  measures  of  the  corporation  and  the 
Committee.  The  King's  store,  on  the  North  river,  was 
broken  open,  and  some  of  the  property  plundered,  which  was 
taken  to  Wooster's  camp,  was  afterwards  restored  to  the 
public  officers.'  It  was  apprehended  that  these  outbreaks 
might  provoke  retaliation;  and  the  Provincial  Congress 
passed  a  resolve,  requesting  Wooster,  who  then  was  re- 
moved some  distance  from  the  city,  to  reoccupy  the  camp  at 
Harlaem,  in  order  to  afford  protection  to  the  citizens. 

But  little  progress  had  been  made  in  filling  the  company 
ordered  to  be  raised  by  the  Provincial  Congress.  At  first,  it 
was  intended  to  fill  it  by  drafts  from  the  infantry  companies 
already  enlisted;  but  upon  representations  of  Capt.  Lamb, 
adverse  to  that  measure,  the  Congress,  on  the  seventeenth  of 
July,  passed  an  order  to  enlist  men  for  the  artillery;  and  this 
expedient  having  proved  successful,  the  Congress  directed 
the  company  to  join  the  northern  army;  but  no  clothing 
having  been  provided,  the  troops  were  unable  to  begin  their 
march. 

General  Schuyler  had,  early  in  the  campaign,  foreseen  the 
necessity  of  an  efficient  director  of  the  artillery,  and  wrote  to 
Congress  on  that  head  as  follows  : — "  Could  not  a  gentle- 
man be  got  to  accept  a  commission  as  commander  of  artille- 
ry? Perhaps,  if  rank  was  given,  it  would  induce  some  good 
man  to  undertake  it.  Such  an  officer  is  so  evidently  neces- 
sary, that  I  hope  this  recommendation  will  claim  your  atten- 
tion."*; 

About  this  period,  the  rumor  was  rife  that  the  Continental 
Congress  had  passed  a  declaration  of  independence  of  the 
mother  country.  This  report  was  denied  and  denounced  by 
the  Committee  of  One  Hundred,  with  much  indignation.f 
The  Continental  Congress  had  required  of  New  York  a  quota 
of  three  thousand  men;  and  in  addition  to  the  company  of 
artillery,  four  regiments  were  ordered  to  be  raised.     The  first 

*  American  Archives.  f  Idem. 


108  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

was  placed  under  the  command  of  Alexander  McDougall, 
the  second  under  Gozen  Van  Schaick,  the  third  under  James 
Clinton,  and  the  fourth  under  Colonel  Holmes.* 

The  Convention  had  resumed  its  session,  and  a  resolve 
having  been  passed  by  the  Continental  Congress,  to  provide 
cannon  for  the  armament  of  the  forts  ordered  to  be  con- 
structed in  the  Highlands,  the  Provincial  Congress  deemed 
this  sufficient  warrant  to  direct  the  removal  of  the  cannon 
from  the  battery  in  the  city.*   Captain  Lamb  was  ordered  to 
this  service,  and  on  the  23d  August,  with  his  company, 
assisted  by  a  part  of  a  corps  of  independents  of  the  command 
of  Col.  Lasher,  and  a  body  of  the  citizens,  proceeded  in  the 
evening  to  execute  the  order  of  the  Congress.     Some  in- 
timation must  have  been  given  to  Captain  Vandeput,  the 
commander  of  the  Asia  (a  line  of  battle-ship  stationed  off  the 
Battery),  of  the  intended  movement;  for  upon  the  arrival  of 
the   military,  they  found  a  barge  and  crew,  lying  on  their 
oars,  close  under  the  Fort.f     A  detachment  of  observation 
was  accordingly  stationed  on  the  parapet,  to  watch  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  enemy,  with  orders  to  return  the  fire  if  at- 
tacked.    As  soon  as  the  artillery  was  in  motion,  a  false  fire 
was  signaled  from  the  boat;  and  immediately  afterwards,  a 
musket  was  discharged  at  the  citizens,  who  returned  it  with 
a  volley.     The  barge  retreated  to  the  ship,  with  several 
killed  and  wounded,  and  when  out  of  the  range  of  fire  from 
the  Asia,  three  guns  from  the  ship  were  discharged  in  quick 
succession.     The  drums  on  the  Battery  beat  to  arms,  and 
were  answered  by  a  broadside  from  the  Asia,  of  round  and 
grape;  and  the  fire  was  rapidly  repeated  for  some  time.f 
Meanwhile  the  cannon  were  moved  off  with  great  delibera- 
tion; and  all  that  were  mounted,  twenty-one  pieces,  were 
safely   carried   away.      Three  men  were  wounded  on  the 
Battery;  and  some  damage  was  done  to  the  houses  near  the 
Fort,  and  at  Whitehall.    The  alarm  was  serious  in  the  city, 

*  American  Archives. 

t  Holt's  paper.  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  109 

and  many  of  the  inhabitants  removed  their  families  beyond 
the  reach  of  danger. 

The  Provincial  Congress  had  passed  a  resolve,  ordering 
the  company  of  Captain  Lamb,  to  be  attached  to  the  first 
regiment  of  infantry,  to  which  McDougall  had  been  ap- 
pointed colonel;  and  that  it  should  be  considered  as  forming 
part  of  the  quota  of  New  York,  to  consist  of  three  thousand 
men.*  To  this  arrangement,  Captain  Lamb  objected  as  un- 
usual and  unjust;  as  it  placed  the  artillery  on  a  level  with 
the  infantry;  a  practice  unprecedented  in  any  service,  and 
he  tendered  his  resignation.  But  on  the  next  day,  a  resolve 
was  passed,  putting  his  company  upon  the  same  footing  of 
the  Rhode  Island  company,  raised  upon  the  old  artillery 
establishment,  until  the  General  Congress  should  determine 
otherwise. §  He  withdrew  his  resignation,  which  had  not 
been  accepted;  and  prepared  to  join  the  Northern  army, 
agreeably  to  the  order  which  had  been  that  day  given. 

On  the  1st  September,  a  few  days  before  the  troops  em- 
barked, an  unpleasant  occurrence  took  place.  One  of  the 
men  who  was  first  enlisted,  an  Englishman  of  dissolute  habits, 
being  in  a  state  of  intoxication;  attacked  the  Captain- 
Lieutenant,  Isaiah  Wool,  with  so  much  violence,  as  to  compel 
that  officer,  in  his  own  defence,  to  cut  him  down.  The  wound 
thus  given,  disabled  him  from  marching,  and  owing  to  this, 
and  to  his  mutinous  character,  he  was  discharged.  Another 
casualty,  deprived  the  company  of  the  service  of  an  efficient 
recruit.  As  the  roll  was  called  for  embarkation,  one  of  the 
men  was  not  present:  search  was  instantly  made  for  him,  but 
the  man  could  not  be  found;  and  from  the  circumstance  of 
his  coat,  and  part  of  his  clothing  being  discovered  in  a  house 
of  ill  fame,  it  was  conjectured  that  he  had  been  murdered 
there. 

*  American  Archives,  701,  4th  series. 

%  Idem. 

§  Lamb's  papers. 


110  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

No  time  was  lost  on  the  arrival  at  Albany,  on  the  6th,  and 
all  expedition  was  made  for  the  frontier.*  When,  on  the  14th, 
the  company  arrived  at  Ticonderoga,  the  means  of  transpor- 
tation were  limited;  but  orders  had  been  given  to  forward 
this  company  in  preference  to  all  others,  and  they  were 
embarked  on  the  17th.f 

Generals  Schuyler,  and  Montgomery,  had  reached  Isle  La 
Motte,  on  the  fourth  of  September,  and  the  next  day  pro- 
ceeded to  Isle  au  Noix,  which  lies  at  the  entrance  of  the  So- 
rel,  the  outlet  of  Lake  Champlain,  twelve  miles  from  St. 
Johns.J  The  day  after,  with  one  thousand  men,  they  marched 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  reconnoissance  of  the  Fort.  On 
the  march,  the  left,  being  part  of  Col.  Waterbury's  command, 
were  assailed  by  some  tories  and  Indians,  in  ambuscade,  and 
were  smartly  engaged  for  several  minutes,  when  the  enemy 
were  routed  and  dispersed-^  In  this  affair,  six  were  killed, 
and  ten  wounded  on  our  side,  and  an  equal  loss  was  sustained 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy.§  Among  the  killed  of  that  party, 
was  an  old  acquaintance  of  Capt.  Lamb,  whom  he  had  for- 
merly known  in  New  Jersey,  and  deemed  him  to  be  a  friend 
to  the  country;  but  removing  to  Johnstown,  in  Tryon  county, 
he  had  been  won  over  by  Claus,  and  Johnston,  and  had 
joined  the  enemy.  Lamb  was  not  disposed  to  grieve  for  the 
loss  of  his  former  friend,  for  no  man  was  more  severe  against 
deserters  from  a  cause,  which  he  himself  held  sacred.|| 

While  reconnoitering  the  Fort,  the  observing  party  was 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  its  batteries,  and  an  officer  and  several 
men  were  wounded.  Finding  the  place  too  well  defended 
against  assault,  Schuyler  returned  to  Isle  au  Noix,  and  con- 
structed a  boom  across  the  river,  to  prevent  the  enemy's  flo- 
tilla, consisting  of  a  schooner  of  twelve  nine  pounders,  and 
a  number  of  armed  batteaux,  from  passing  into  the  lake.TT 

*  Letter  from  Lamb,  American  Archives,  704,  4th  series. 

t  American  Archives,  and  Lamb's  letter,  707.   J  Idem.  $  Idem.  ||  Idem. 

T  American  Archives,  and  Lamb's  letter,  707. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  Ill 

Cols.  Claus,  and  Johnston,  had  reached  Montreal,  with  a  view 
of  raising  the  Canadian  noblesse  on  the  side  of  the  British, 
and  to  keep  the  Indians  in  their  allegiance.*  False  alarms, 
of  the  most  aggravated  nature,  were  industriously  circulated; 
among  others,  it  was  said  that  in  the  pocket  of  an  American 
officer,  killed  by  the  savages,  were  found  instructions  from 
Schuyler,  to  give  no  quarter  to  the  Canadians  and  Indians.f 
The  grossness  of  this  fabrication  was  so  palpable,  that  it  did 
the  inventors  much  injury.  False  rumors  were  also  rife  on 
our  side,  and  it  was  asserted,  and  for  some  time  believed, 
that  the  head  of  the  slain  officer  alluded  to,  had  been  severed 
from  his  body,  and  stuck  over  the  gate  at  Fort  St.  John,  in 
defiance  of  the  invaders.| 

Gen.  Schuyler  was  now  compelled,  by  increasing  illness, 
to  return  to  Ticonderoga,  and  Montgomery,  having  been  re- 
inforced, again  advanced  to  St.  Johns,  with  one  thousand 
m  en.  He  ordered  Lieut.  Col.  Ritzma,  of  the  New  York  re- 
giment, with  five  hundred  men,  to  march  down  the  river, 
and  take  post  below  the  Fort,  to  intercept  supplies  from  that 
quarter.  Passing  a  log  house,  this  detachment  received  a 
volley  from  within,  which  was  returned,  and  two  Indians 
killed.  Ritzma  disconcerted  by  this  attack,  thought  proper 
to  draw  off  his  forces,  and  return  to  camp,  to  the  great  mor- 
tification of  the  General,  who  was  compelled,  in  consequence, 
to  return  to  Isle  au  Noix.§  Farther  reinforcements  arriving, 
with  some  ammunition  and  artillery,  on  the  17th,  the  General 

*  American  Archives,  and  Lamb's  letter.  f  Idem.         $  Idem. 

$  This  man  was  undoubtedly  a  coward;  and  Mr.  Willett,  in  the  life  of 
his  father,  affirms  that  he,  as  well  as  Zedwitz,  the  major  of  the  regi- 
ment, deserted  to  the  enemy.  On  a  subsequent  occasion  during  the  siege, 
Zedwitz  was  ordered  to  take  a  position  in  the  night,  which  was  expected 
to  be  attacked  by  the  Indians.  Capt.  Lamb  being  off  duty,  happened  to 
be  at  his  quarters,  when  the  order  was  delivered.  Zedwitz  was  about 
to  refuse  the  command,  when  he  was  prevailed  upon  by  Lamb,  (who  of- 
fered to  accompany  him,)  to  obey.  During  the  march,  Zedwitz  made 
such  frequent  appplication  to  the  bottle,  that  he  became  perfectly  drunk, 
and  Capt.  Lamb  took  the  command  of  the  detachment,  until  it  was  or- 
dered to  retire  in  the  morning. 


112  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

again  embarked  for  St.  Johns,  and  landing  at  his  former  en- 
campment, about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Fort,  he  dis- 
patched a  force  of  five  hundred  men,  to  execute  the  service 
formerly  entrusted  to  Ritzma,  which  at  this  time  was  more 
successfully  performed.  The  place  was  now  invested;  on  the 
18th,  a  battery,  eight  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  works, 
was  erected  on  a  point  of  land  commanding  the  Fort,  the 
ship  yards,  and  an  armed  schooner  abreast  of  the  Fort, 
Another,  at  six  hundred  yards,  in  the  woods,  on  the  east  side, 
was  thrown  up  on  the  22d,  provided  with  two  small  mortars. 
During  the  erection  of  these  batteries,  the  enemy  kept  up  an 
incessant  fire  upon  the  fatigue  parties,  by  which  some  men 
were  killed,  and  a  great  number  wounded.  This  fire  was 
feebly  returned  from  such  of  the  guns  as  were  mounted,  owing 
to  the  scantiness  of  ammunition. 

At  this  juncture,  Captain  Lamb  arrived,  bringing  a  small 
but  welcome  supply  of  military  stores ;  and  having,  on  the 
26th,  bedded  a  thirteen  inch  mortar,  he  commenced  a  fire  of 
shot  and  shells  upon  the  Fort.*  The  distance  was  too  great, 
and  the  positions  of  the  batteries  were  ill  chosen.  A  de- 
tachment of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  had,  on  the  17th, 
been  sent  to  Chamble*e,  a  post  down  the  river,  twelve  miles 
from  St.  Johns;  these,  at  a  short  distance  below  the  Fort, 
were  attacked  in  front  by  a  party  of  Indians,  and  annoyed  in 
flank,  by  the  fire  of  two  batteaux,  armed  with  swivels,  who 
kept  up  a  discharge  of  grape  shot,  which  compelled  them  to 
retreat.  During  this  skirmish,  the  American  flotilla,  and  the 
batteries,  commenced  a  fire  upon  the  batteaux,  in  support  of 
the  detached  party,  and  a  twelve  pound  shot,  striking  one  of 

*  To  show  in  what  estimation  Capt.  Lamb  was,  even  in  this  early- 
stage  of  the  campaign,  held  as  an  officer-,  the  following  extract  of  a  let- 
ter from  General  Schuyler,  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  is  given: 

Ticonderoga,  20th  Sept.  1775, 

"  And  I  suppose  the  Artillery  Company  under  Capt.  Lamb,  will  join 
them  to-day.  These  last  were  indispensably  necessary,  as  we  had  none 
that  knew  any  thing  of  the  matter." 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  113 

the  boats,  raked  it  from  stem  to  stern,  by  which  thirty-five 
men  were  killed  or  drowned. 

Gen.  Montgomery  was  aware  of  the  defects  of  both  his 
batteries;  and  he  was  solicitous  to  abandon  the  one  on  the 
east  side,  and  erect  another  in  the  opposite  quarter.  But  he 
was  informed  by  Major  Brown,  that  the  men  would  not  con- 
sent to  a  change  of  position,  and  would  leave  him  if  attempted. 
He  then  called  a  council  of  field  officers,  and  explained  his 
reasons  for  the  change.  The  position  intended  to  be  chosen, 
was  nearer  the  object  of  attack,  and  no  shot  would  have  been 
expended  from  it  in  vain;  as  all  that  missed  the  parapet, 
would  strike  a  stone  house  within  the  walls.  The  reasoning 
of  Montgomery  was  sufficient  to  convince  General  Schuyler, 
to  whom  they  were  afterwards  detailed,  but  they  failed  of 
any  effect  upon  the  council  of  field  officers;  for  they  unani- 
mously determined  to  retain  the  old  position;  and  the  General 
was  compelled  to  abandon  his  design  in  despair,  with  little 
hope  of  reducing  the  garrison,  except  by  blockade  and  starva- 
tion. While  this  gallant  officer  was  encountering  the  ut- 
most mortification,  by  the  insubordination  of  his  troops,  and 
the  pertinacity  of  his  officers,  he  was  cheered  by  the  success 
of  his  batteries,  in  sinking  the  enemy's  schooner,  and  by  the 
surrender  of  Chamblee;  by  which  means,  his  army  was  well 
supplied  with  ammunition,  and  he  could  carry  on  the  siege 
with  full  vigor.*  This  intelligence  he  immediately  commu- 
nicated to  General  Schuyler,  who  also  had  his  full  share  of 
disgusts  and  disappointment.  Wooster,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed a  major-general  by  Connecticut,  had  arrived  at  Ti- 
conderoga,  and  had  undertaken  to  execute  some  acts  of 
authority,  in  derogation  of  the  power  of  the  commander  of 
the  department.!     General   Schuyler  complained  of  these, 

*  Marshall. 

t  It  was  upon  similar  provocations  that  the  much  abused  and  ill  requited 
General  thus  expressed  himself  to  Congress:  "  If  Job  had  been  a  gene- 
ral in  my  situation,  his  memory  had  not  been  so  famous  for  patience." — 
Schuyler  to  Congress,  Septs  21,  1775. 

15 


114  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  Wooster  gave  such  explanation  as  was  for  the  time 
satisfactory;  but  being  apprehensive  that  similar  acts  might 
occur,  and  create  farther  uneasiness  in  Montgomery's  mind, 
already  too  much  irritated,  he  endeavored  to  prevail  on 
General  Wooster,  to  send  on  his  men  by  a  subordinate  officer. 
But  the  men  declared  they  would  not  move,  without  their 
favorite  commander.  Schuyler  then  informed  the  Connecti- 
cut general  that  if  he  joined  the  camp,  his  commission  in  the 
Continental  service  being  of  later  date  than  that  of  Mont- 
gomery, he  would  rank  subordinate  to  the  commands  of  that 
general.  Wooster,  although  he  thought  it  rather  hard  to 
to  be  obliged  to  serve  under  a  younger  officer,  patriotically 
waived  his  claim  of  rank  and  his  commission  from  Connecti- 
cut, and  consented  to  join  the  army.  But  when  that  point 
was  yielded,  the  troops  began  to  doubt  whether  they  would 
move  at  all:  and,  finally,  they  determined  not  to  expose 
themselves  to  the  rigors  of  a  northern  winter,  cut  off  from 
a  possibility  of  return,  by  hyperborean  frosts  and  snows. 

Against  this  resolution,  Wooster  vehemently  remonstrated; 
but  found  support  only  from  his  secretary  and  chaplain:  the 
latter  of  whom  was  most  indefatigable  in  his  exertions.  His 
lay  and  clerical  exhortations,  were  eventually  successful,  and 
the  men  consented  to  embark  on  the  23d  October.  In  a  few 
days,  the  General  and  his  men  reached  the  camp;  and  pro- 
bably his  influence  produced  some  change  in  the  disposition 
of  the  batteries,  for  the  army,  on  the  28th,  took  up  a  new 
position,  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  work.*  Here  a  battery 
was  erected,  on  an  eminence  commanding  the  Fort,  within 
two  hundred  and  fifty  yards.  Three  twelve,  one  nine-pounder, 
with  three  mortars  and  three  cohorns,  were  mounted;  and 
while  it  was  in  process  of  erection,  the  enemy  kept  up  a  con- 
stant fire  of  round  and  grape  shot;  by  which  several  were 
killed  or  wounded.f  Captain  Lamb,  who  commanded  in  this 
battery,  returned  the  enemy's  shot,  by  a  persevering  and  well 

*  American  Archives, 
j-  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  115 

directed  fire,  which  was  kept  up,  without  intermission,  day 
and  night,  and  did  great  execution.* 

Governor  Carleton  had  learnt  the  extremity  to  which  the 
garrison  of  St.  Johns  was  reduced,  and  resolved  on  a  vigo- 
rous effort  to  relieve  it.  He  embarked  with  a  large  force 
from  Montreal,  and  detailed  Colonel  Maclean,f  with  three 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  to  cooperate  with  him  by  a  different 
route.  This  officer,  who  had  recently  joined  General  Carle- 
ton,  had  been  arrested  on  his  wray  to  the  Canadas,  and  inter- 
rogated by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  in  regard 
to  the  object  of  his  journey;  and  he  gave  assurances  of  his 
pacific  intentions,  which  so  far  satisfied  that  body,  that  they 
suffered  him  to  proceed;  but  notwithstanding  these  declara- 
tions, he  at  the  time,  bore  the  King's  commission  to  raise  a 
body  of  Highlanders  for  the  service  of  the  Crown,  a  part  of 
which  composed  the  detachment.  The  two  divisions,  after 
effecting  a  junction,  were  to  push  forward;  and  at  a  given 
signal,  the  garrison  were  to  attempt  a  sortie.  By  this  at- 
tack, he  hoped  to  raise  the  siege  and  force  the  Americans  to 
retreat;  or  at  least,  to  enable  Major  Preston  to  cut  his  way 
through  the  invaders,  and  form  a  junction  with  him  to  de- 
fend Montreal;  but  attempting  to  land  at  Longueile,  he  was 
met  by  Colonel  Warner,  at  the  head  of  his  Vermonters,  and 
a  part  of  the  second  New  York  regiment  (Van  Schaick's), 
and  effectually  repulsed.^  News  of  this  defeat  had  reached 
Montgomery  ;§  and  aware  of  the  condition  of  the  garrison 
and  of  their  expectations  of  relief  from  this  movement,  in 
order  to  save  the  effusion  of  blood,  he  determined  to  send  a 
flag,  with  one  of  the  prisoners  taken  at  Longueil,  to  Major 
Preston,  the  commander  of  the  fort,  and  invite  him  to  sur- 
render.||  With  this  view,  late  in  the  evening  of  the  2d  No- 
vember, he  sent  an  officer  to  Captain  Lamb,§  with  instruc- 
tions to  cease  fire  until  farther  orders.  Major  Preston,  who 
had  made  a  very  brave  defence,  doubted,  or  pretended  to 

*  American  Archives.  Marshall.  Holt's  paper,     f  Idem.     |  Idem. 
§  Idem.         ||  Idem. 


116  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

doubt,  the  prisoner's  report,  alleging  that  he  was  subject  to 
fits  of  insanity:  he  offered  to  surrender  if  not  relieved  in  four 
days.  To  these  conditions  the  General  would  not  accede; 
but  sent  the  officer  back  with  his  ultimatum,  which,  if  not 
complied  with,  should  be  announced  rejected,  by  a  shot  from 
the  fort.  Preston,  despairing  of  relief,  now  agreed  to  ca- 
pitulate. The  terms  were  adjusted,  and  next  morning,  Capt. 
Lamb,  with  his  company  and  a  detachment  of  two  hundred 
men  from  the  other  corps  of  the  army,  was  ordered  to  receive 
the  surrender  of  the  fort,  and  to  take  possession*  The  garri- 
son, consisting  of  five  hundred  men  of  the  regular  army,  and 
one  hundred  Canadians,  many  of  them  of  the  noblesse  of  the 
Province,  were  made  prisoners  of  wTar.  During  the  siege, 
the  fort  expended  six  hundred  shells,  beside  round  and  grape 
shotf 

The  protraction  of  the  seige  of  St.  Johns  was  fatal  to  the 
success  of  the  campaign.  Had  the  means  at  the  disposal  of 
Schuyler,  been  more  efficient,  or  had  those  under  the  com- 
mand of  Montgomery  been  governed  by  the  discretion  of  the 
General,  the  fortress  might  have  been  earlier  taken,  and  a 
junction  formed  with  Arnold,  in  time  to  have  taken  advan- 
tage of  the  panic  of  the  garrison  of  Quebec.  That  city, 
although  better  fortified,  was  not,  until  after  the  taking  of 
St.  Johns,  so  well  garrisoned  as  the  captured  fortress;  and 
wTould,  in  all  probability,  have  opened  its  gates  to  the  com- 
bined American  forces.  It  is  true,  the  Green  Mountain  boys, 
after  engaging  to  follow,  had,  in  consequence  of  some  griev- 
ance, fancied  or  real,  deserted  Montgomery's  standard;  but 
with  what  remained  of  the  army  after  their  defection,  the 
force  was  sufficiently  formidable  to  warrant  success.  The 
causes  for  this  delay,  are  to  be  found  principally  in  the  de- 
murs and  dissatisfaction  of  the  troops;  and  there  are  many 
reasons  to  believe  that  the  General  had  increased  these  dis- 
contents, and  his  own  difficulties,  by  his  impetuosity,  and  a 
spirit  too  exacting. 

*  Vide  Appendix  B.  t  Marshall. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  117 

During  the  seige,  Captain  Gershom  Mott,  of  the  first,  or 
McDougall's  regiment,  had  command  of  the  fatigue  party 
who  were  erecting  the  mortar  battery;  and  upon  a  sudden 
alarm  in  the  night,  had  abandoned  his  post  and  retreated. 
The  account  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  party  being  at  variance 
with  that  of  Capt.  Mott,  the  General  was  induced  to  believe 
that  the  battery  had  been  unnecessarily  abandoned;  and  he 
ordered  the  arrest  of  Mott,  whom  he  threatened  to  treat  with 
great  rigor.  Mott  was  known  to  the  officers  of  the  New 
York  troops,  as  one  of  the  most  daring  agitators  of  the  times 
preceding  the  Revolution;  and  none  knew  him  better  than 
Captain  Lamb,  with  whom  he  had  acted  for  ten  years  upon 
the  most  important  committees — from  the  time  of  the  burn- 
ing of  Lieut.-Gov.  Colden  in  effigy,  in  1765,  to  the  opening 
of  the  campaign.  Neither  he  nor  his  fellow  officers  could 
believe,  that  one  who  had  always  displayed  so  much  moral 
firmness,  and  who  had  frequently  encountered  personal  dan- 
ger with  intrepidity,  could  be  stained  with  cowardice;  and 
they  petitioned  the  General  to  restore  him  to  his  command. 
This  interference  was  not  well  received  by  the  General,  and 
it  formed  one  of  his  complaints  to  Schuyler;  but  it  appears 
that  he  must  have  yielded  to  the  request,  as  Mott  marched 
with  his  company  to  Montreal,  and  behaved  well  at  the  storm 
of  Quebec* 

Another  instance  occurred,!  in  which  the  opinions  of  the 
New  York  officers  came  in  conflict  with  that  of  the  General. 
In  the  articles  of  capitulation  of  St.  Johns,  the  baggage  of 
the  officers  and  that  of  the  men  was  secured  to  them.  But 
in  addition  to  the  clothing  already  served  out  previous  to 
the  surrender,  a  new  suit  for  each  soldier  was  claimed  from 
the  captured  stores;  and  this  was  ordered  by  the  General  to 
be  given  them.J  The  best  clothed  of  our  troops,  were  scan- 
tily provided,  and  many  were  nearly  naked:  these  thought 
the  order  of  the  General  more  generous  to  the  prisoners  than 
just  to  his  own  soldiers,  and  murmured  at  it.     The  officers 

*  Holt's  paper.  t  American  Archives.  |  Idem. 


118  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

joined  in  that  belief,  and  remonstrated  against  what  they 
thought  an  overstraining  of  the  articles,  to  the  prejudice  of 
their  men.  The  General  took  fire  at  this  interposition,  and 
insisted  that  the  rules  of  the  British  service  allowed  an  extra 
suit,  for  holiday  purposes.*  The  officers  demurred  to  this 
decision.  They  could  not  perceive  the  propriety  of  con- 
demning their  men  to  severe  privations ;  while  the  prisoners, 
who  were  to  be  marched  into  a  warmer  climate,  should  be 
permitted  to  carry  away  a  superabundance  of  clothing. 

The  march  on  Montreal  commenced  the  day  after  the  sur- 
render of  St.  Johns,  by  the  way  of  La  Prairie.  The  forces 
of  Gov.  Carleton  held  the  mouth  of  the  Sorell,  and  Col.  Eas- 
ton,  with  Livingston's  corps,  and  Brown's  detatchments,  was 
sent  to  dislodge  them.  This  enterprise  was  successful,  and 
Col.  Maclean,  who,  with  a  body  of  Highlanders,  raised  in 
the  province,  and  some  Canadians  loyal  to  the  Crown,  held 
the  post,  were  defeated  and  driven  off,  before  the  British  flo- 
tilla on  the  St.  Lawrence,  could  make  its  escape.  While 
thus  hemmed  in,  Carleton  heard  of  Arnold's  arrival  before 
Quebec;  and  committing  the  defence  of  Montreal  to  Gen. 
Prescott,  disguised  as  a  Canadian  voyageur,  he  embarked  on 
board  a  canoe,  himself  assisting  at  the  paddles,  and  success- 
fully passed  the  American  batteries  at  the  mouth  of  the  So- 
rell. The  fire  of  these  was  so  well  directed,  as  to  compel  the 
British  vessels  above  them  to  surrender;  in  effecting  this, 
Lieut.  Lockwood,  of  the  Connecticut  forces,  performed  effi- 
cient service. 

Not  long  after  the  surrender  of  the  fleet,  Montgomery  ap- 
peared before  Montreal,  and  despairing  of  a  successful  re- 
sistance, Gen.  Prescott  capitulated. 

It  is  not  surprising,  that  in  the  controversy  respecting  the 
issue  of  the  clothing  taken  at  St.  Johns,  that  the  officers 
of  the  New  York  troops,  should  have  taken  that  view  of  the 
question  which  they  believed  their  duty  prompted;  and  it  is 

*  American  Archives. 

t  American  Archives.         t  Marshall.         §  American  Archives. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  119 

highly  probable,  that  Gen.  Montgomery  was  right,  in  ascrib- 
ing to  Capt.  Lamb,  which  he  did,  in  a  letter,  of  Nov.  13th, 
to  Gen.  Schuyler,  the  day  of  the  surrender  of  Montreal,  much 
of  the  vehemence  with  which  he  was  urged  on  that  occasion.* 
For  Lamb  was  peculiarly  tenacious  of  his  own  rights,  and 
even  more  sensitive  to  any  attempt  to  infringe  those  of  his 
men,  and  therefore  likely  to  resist  any  curtailment  of  their 
comforts. 

Another  offence  of  a  still  more  serious  nature,  provoked  the 
high  spirited  Commander.  He  had  consented  that  many  of 
the  prisoners  taken  at  Montreal,  among  whom  were  some  of- 
ficers of  rank,  should  remain  on  parole  within  the  city,  while 
the  army  marched  on  Quebec  ;f  and  as  the  officers  generally 
were  of  the  opinion  that  such  indulgence  was  dangerous,  they, 
on  the  23d  November  remonstrated  against  it. J  This  so  in- 
censed Montgomery,  that  he  threw  up  the  command.§  But 
when  a  committee  was  appointed  to  explain  the  motive,  they 
alleged  it  to  have  been  done,  to  afford  the  Commander  an  ex- 
cuse for  refusing  further  indulgence,  and  for  retracting  that 
already  granted,  if  he  should  afterwards  concur  with  them  in 
their  opinion.  This  excuse  was  sufficient  to  mollify  the  re- 
sentment of  the  General,  and  he  resumed  the  command. 

On  this  occasion,  in  a  letter  to  Gen.  Schuyler,  of  the  24th, 
he  charges  Captain  Lamb  with  being  the  agitator;  and  ad- 
mitting his  "  bravery,"  "  activity,"  and  "  intelligence,"  ac- 
cuses him  of  being  of  "  bad  temper,  turbulent  and  trouble- 
some."||  If,  by  being  of  a  bad  temper,  he  meant,  and  proba- 
bly he  did  mean  nothing  more,  than  that  he  was  sudden  and 
irascible;  none  who  ever  knew  Capt.  Lamb,  will  deny  the 
charge.  But  his  temper,  if  hasty,  was  noble  and  generous; 
not  tinctured  with  moroseness,  or  malevolence;  ever  ready 
to  repair  a  wrong,  and  placable  to  any  concession,  whenever 
any  such  was  inflicted  upon  him.     He  saw  men  and  things, 

*  American  Archives.     Dunlap's  History.         fldem. 
t  American  Archives.         $  Idem.         ||  Idem. 


120  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

through  a  different  medium  from  that  which  formed  the  Ge- 
neral's perspective;  and  to  what  extent  he  and  his  coadju- 
tors were  justifiable,  the  facts  must  determine.  It  is  too  evi- 
dent that  Montgomery  had  imbibed  prejudices  common  to  the 
officers  bred  in  the  English  army,  and  that  his  aristocratic 
propensities  caused  him  to  undervalue  the  officers  under  him.* 
That  their  coarse  habiliments,  and  imperfect  equipments, 
(many  of  those  of  the  infantry,  from  the  city  of  New  York, 
having  been  obliged  to  ask  advances  from  the  Provincial 
Congress,  to  complete  their  outfit),  seem  to  have  generated 
contempt  in  his  mind,  is  evident  from  his  letter  to  Schuyler, 
in  which  he  says,  "  I  wish  some  method  could  be  fallen  upon 
of  engaging  gentlemen  to  serve."f  This  remark,  in  connec- 
tion with  another,  lauding  the  gentility  of  the  officers  taken 
at  Chamblee,J  indicates  that  he  considered  those  in  service 
under  him  as  beyond  the  prescribed  pale;  and  the  natural 
consequences  of  such  an  opinion,  would  be  to  increase  the 
difficulties  under  which  he  labored. 

If,  as  we  are  free  to  admit,  there  was  a  deviation  from 
subordination  to  military  rule  on  these  occasions,  there  are 
many  things  which  may  be  pleaded  in  palliation.  This  was 
Lamb's  first  campaign.  At  home,  he  had  been  for  some 
time,  possessed  of  almost  tribunitial  authority;  and  he  found 
it  difficult,  thus  soon,  to  yield  implicit  obedience  to  the  mili- 
tary consul. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  these  passages  were  reviewed 
in  after  life,  with  little  satisfaction;  especially,  as  the  ac- 
complished General,  whom  none  more  ardently  admired  than 
Captain  Lamb,  had  met  so  gallantly  a  soldier's  doom.  For 
when  he  himself  had  risen  in  the  service,  he  was  peculiarly 
sensitive  to  any  encroachments  of  his  superiors,  and  equally 
tenacious  of  his  own  authority  with  regard  to  his  subordi- 
nates.§ 

*  American  Archives.         t  Idem.         J  Idem. 

§  To  the  officers  under  his  command,  he  was  always  kind  and  courte- 
ous, unless  prompted  to  a  different  course,  by  any  breaches  of  civility  on 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  121 

At  Montreal,  Captain  Lamb  was  informed  that  the  Gene- 
ral Congress  had  not  taken  satisfactory  order,  with  regard  to 
the  pay  and  emolument  of  his  company,  promised  by  the 
Provincial  Congress.  As  most  of  his  men  had  been  enlisted 
under  assurances  of  being  put  upon  the  footing  of  the  artil- 
lery of  other  armies,  this  neglect  placed  him  in  an  unplea- 
sant position,  with  respect  to  the  men  thus  enlisted;  and  he 
could  not  endure  the  thought  of  retaining  the  command  of 
dissatisfied  soldiers,  who  might  think  him  a  party  to  their 
disappoinment.  He,  therefore,  signified  to  General  Montgo- 
mery his  determination  to  retire  from  the  public  service. 
From  this  resolution,  the  General  most  earnestly  dissuaded 
him;*  and  immediately  wrote  to  General  Schuyler,  urging 
him  to  use  his  influence  to  remove  the  causes  of  his  dissatis- 
faction. "  If  (says  he)  we  are  to  have  artillery,  Captain 
Lamb  is  absolutely  necessary  to  the  army."f     As  this  letter 

their  part:  and  to  the  younger  officers  he  was  particularly  affectionate 
and  considerate.  But  he  would  bear  no  approach  to  an  improper  fami- 
liarity. The  wound  that  he  had  received  at  Quebec,  disfigured  the  left 
eye  and  cheek,  and  he  wore  a  green  patch  over  it,  to  conceal  the  de- 
formity. 

The  following  anecdote  is  told  by  General  Burbec,  the  son  of  an  old 
artillery  commander ;  and  himself  an  officer  in  the  same  corps,  during 
the  war  of  the  Revolution : 

"  In  1780,  he  was  ordered  to  "West  Point,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Lamb,  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  Park,  posted  in  the  vicinity. 
While  there,  he  contracted  a  violent  inflammation  in  his  eyes,  and  requested 
to  be  ordered  to  the  garrison,  to  put  himself  under  cure.  He  reported 
himself  at  the  quarters  of  the  colonel,  who  received  him  with  great  cor- 
diality, and  dismissed  him,  that  he  might  pay  his  respects  to  the  ladies 
at  the  post.  These  thinking  that  the  'joke1  would  be  '  laughable,'  per- 
suaded him  to  place  a  patch  over  the  left  side  of  his  face ;  and  they  fabri- 
cated one,  exactly  resembling  the  colonel's.  Thus  accoutred,  he  made  his 
appearance  at  the  quarters  of  the  Commander.  He  was  received  with  a 
reserved  bow,  and  accosted  with  some  sternness:  Sir,  I  perceive  you  are 
in  a  fair  way  to  be  cured  of  your  malady,  and  the  sooner  you  join  your 
company  at  the  Park,  the  better."  There  was  no  appeal,  and  the  fur- 
lough was  shortened. 

*  American  Archives.     Holt's  paper.     Dunlap's  History,     t  Idem. 

16 


122  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

was  written  after  the  altercation  respecting  the  clothing  ta- 
ken at  St.  Johns,  it  is  evidence  of  the  placability  of  the  Ge- 
neral, and  of  the  predominance  in  his  mind  of  the  public 
good,  over  his  own  private  griefs. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  123 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

March  on  Quebec. — Junction  with  Arnold. — Quebec  invested. — Breast- 
works of  Ice, — Fire  on  the  Town  ineffectual. — Montgomery's  Visit  to 
the  Trenches. — Aaron  Burr. — Preparations  for  storming  Delayed. — Re- 
solved on. — Montgomery  killed. — McPherson  —  Cheeseman. — Camp- 
bell orders  a  Retreat. — Lamb  wilh  Arnold's  Detachment,  leads  the 
Van  of  the  Stormers. — First  Battery. — Gun  abandoned. — Battery 
carried  by  the  Bayonet. — Arnold  wounded. — Morgan. — Lamb  wound- 
ed.— Second  Barrier  carried. — News  of  the  Repulse  of  Montgomery. — 
Sortie  of  the  Garrison. — Retreat  of  the  Advance  cut  off. — Occupy  a 
House. — Cannon  brought  against  it. — Surrender  of  the  Detatchment. 
Scottish  Commissary. — The  Hospital. 

The  supplies  obtained  at  Sorel  and  at  Montreal,  afforded 
comfortable  clothing  for  the  troops;  but  difficulties  beset  the 
gallant  General  on  every  side.  The  Roman  Catholic  priests 
had  exerted  their  great  influence  with  the  Canadian  noblesse, 
to  induce  them  not  to  join  his  army,  or  to  declare  against  the 
British;  and  he  was  forced  to  be  content  with  professions  of 
neutrality,  of  doubtful  continuance,  should  the  fate  of  war 
be  adverse  to  the  expedition.*  Soon,  that  curse  of  the  army, 
short  enlistments,  began  to  thin  their  ranks,  by  the  abandon- 
ment of  those  companies  whose  engagements  had  expired;! 
but  he  did  his  best  to  conquer  those  difficulties,  and  to  hasten 
his  departure  from  Monreal.  Capt.  Willett  had  been  placed  in 
charge  of  the  garrison  at  St.  Johns;  and  leaving  Wooster  in 
command  of  the  posts  behind  him,  Montgomery  embarked  his 
troops  on  board  the  flotilla  captured  from  the  enemy,  and  made 
all  haste  to  join  Arnold  at  Point  au  Tremble.  From  thence, 
both  detachments  taking  up  their  march,  they  arrived  and 
encamped  together  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  on  the  5th 
December. 

Here  in  the  dead  of  winter,  the  ground  frozen  to  a  great 
depth,  and  covered  with  snow;  scantily  provided  with  in- 
*  Marshall.  t  Idem. 


124  LIFE    OF   JOHN    LAMB. 

trenching  tools;  with  only  a  field  train  of  artillery,  and  a  few 
mortars;  the  General  made  the  best  dispositions  for  attack 
which  the  occasion  presented.*  Gabions,  ranged  abreast, 
and  filled  up  with  snow,  with  water  poured  upon  it  until  it 
was  thoroughly  frozen,  formed  the  only  intrenchments;f  and 
by  incessant  labor  and  perseverance,  they  succeeded  in 
throwing  up  a  breast  work  opposite  to  the  gate  of  St.  Louis, 
four  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  walls,  for  the  artillery, 
while  Montgomery,  with  the  major  part  of  the  army,  sat 
down  opposite  to  the  citadel  of  Cape  Diamond;  some  mor- 
tars had  also  been  placed  in  the  suburbs  of  St.  Roques. 
From  the  ice  battery,  upon  which  was  mounted  five  guns 
and  a  howitzer,  Capt.  Lamb  commenced  a  well  sustained 
but  ineffectual  fire  upon  the  walls.  This  was  returned  by 
the  heavy  artillery  of  the  fortress,  with  ample  usury:  the 
brittle  barriers  were  shivered  at  every  discharge;  some  of 
the  guns  were  dismounted,  and  rendered  useless,  while 
scarcely  any  impression  was  made  upon  the  ramparts  of  the 
enemy. 

The  commander  of  the  artillery  was  exceedingly  annoyed 
by  one  particular  gun  from  the  town,  the  position  of  which 
he  marked  by  its  ranging  with  the  tower  of  a  church,  which 
at  each  discharge,  scattered  his  fragile  defenses  in  every  di- 
rection. On  one  occasion,  a  shot  from  this  piece  struck  the 
muzzle  of  one  of  his  own  guns,  and  splintered  a  piece  of 
metal  from  it;  and  scarcely  had  it  been  repointed  and  dis- 
charged, when  the  next  shot  from  the  town  dismounted  this 
identical  gun.|  For  five  successive  days  and  nights,  the 
garrison  were  kept  on  the  alert,  by  the  shot  and  shells  of 
this  battery;  and  although  very  slight  damage  was  done  to 
the  wall  by  the  balls,  the  town  was  fired  by  the  shells  in 
many  places.  Gen.  Montgomery,  in  the  hope  that  the  citi- 
zens were  disaffected,  now  summoned  the  garrison  to  sur- 
render ;  but  the  flag  was  fired  upon,  and  ordered  back.     In 

*  Marshall.  t  American  Archives.     Holt's  paper. 

J  Holt's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMR  125 

order  to  create  dissatisfaction  among  the  population,  the  In- 
dians in  the  invading  camp,  were  instructed  to  fire  letters, 
attached  to  their  arrows,  to  the  citizens,  announcing  Carle- 
ton's  refusal  to  treat,  and  advising  them  to  compel  him  to 
do  so,  by  popular  clamor;*  but  nothing  was  gained  by  the 
manoeuvre.  Little  had  been  expected  from  these  batteries, 
by  those  who  had  them  in  command,  and  knew  the  ineffi- 
ciency and  lightness  of  the  guns;  which  excluded  all  hope  of 
being  able  to  breach  the  walls :f  still,  however,  they  answered 
the  destructive  discharges  of  the  garrison,  with  great  spirit. 
It  was  near  the  close  of  the  day,  the  fire  during  which  had 
been  unusually  destructive,  that  Gen.  Montgomery  paid  a 
visit  to  the  trenches;  and  at  the  instant  that  one  of  the  mur- 
derous missiles  of  the  enemy  had  dismounted  one  of  the 
guns,  and  disabled  many  of  the  men,  he  arrived  in  the  bat- 
tery.J  A  second  shot,  almost  as  destructive,  immediately 
followed.  "This  is  warm  work,  sir!"  addressing  Captain 
Lamb.  "  It  is,  indeed."  was  the  reply,  "  and  certainly  no 
place  for  you,  sir."  "  Why  so,  Captain?"  said  the  General. 
"  Because,"  he  answered,  "  there  are  enough  of  us  here  to 
be  killed,  without  the  loss  of  you,  which  would  be  irrepara- 
ble."§  After  some  time  the  General  became  satisfied  of  the 
insufficiency  of  the  batteries,  and  on  retiring  he  gave  Capt. 
Lamb  permission  to  withdraw  his  men,  whenever  he  thought 
proper:  immediately,  if  he  chose  to  do  it.  He  decided  to 
remain  until  after  dark;  when,  securing  all  their  guns,  they 
abandoned  the  ruined  redoubt.  On  this  occasion,  the  Gene- 
ral was  accompanied  by  Aaron  Burr,||  whom  he  had  appoint- 
ed his  aid.  This  was  the  first  time  that  Lamb  had  ever  seen 
him;  and  as  his  appearance  was  juvenile  in  the  extreme, 
he  wondered  that  the  General  should  encumber  his  family, 
with  the  addition  of  one,  who  seemed  a  mere  boy.  But 
upon  a  more  thorough  scrutiny  of  his  countenance,  the  fire 
of  his  eye,  and  his  perfect  coolness  and  immobility,  under 

t  Holt.  \  Family  tradition. 

$  Idem.  ||  Idem. 


126  LIFK  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

such  dangerous  fire,  convinced  him  that  the  young  volunteer 
was  no  ordinary  man;  and  not  out  of  place  in  the  most  im- 
portant position. 

The  only  hope  now,  was  by  escalade,  and  this  the  Gene- 
ral resolved  to  attempt;  but  the  design  was  for  a  long  time 
delayed  by  the  dissensions  which  had  grown  up  in  his  camp* 
A  feud  of  long  standing,  had  existed  between  Arnold  and 
Major  Brown,  who  had  done  good  service  at  St.  Johns  and 
Chamblee.  Arnold,  who  had  been  commissioned  by  Massa- 
chusetts to  enlist  men  for  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga;f  hear- 
ing that  a  movement  for  the  same  purpose,  was  about  to  be 
made  by  Ethan  Allen  and  others;  anticipated  the  march  of 
his  own  levies,  and  reached  the  forces  destined  for  the  at- 
tempt, at  Castleton,  in  Vermont.J  With  these  troops  was 
Major  Brown.  Arnold  exhibited  his  commission,  and  claimed 
the  command,  which  was  refused  by  Allen  and  his  asso- 
ciated officers.  The  resentment  roused  by  this  occurrence 
was  never  appeased;  but  was  exhibited  on  both  sides,  on 
many  occasions  throughout  the  Canadian  campaign.  Be- 
fore the  junction  with  Montgomery,  some  difficulty  had 
arisen  between  the  commander  of  the  other  corps,  and  one 
of  his  captains;  with  whom,  two  others,  afterwards,  sided. 
Brown  took  this  occasion  to  gall  his  former  antagonist,  by 
fomenting  the  dispute,^  and  encouraging  them  to  hope  to  be 
detached  from  Arnold's  corps,  to  a  separate  command 
under  him.  When  a  council  was  called,  and  the  plan 
of  attack  by  storm  proposed,  Montgomery  found,  to  his  great 
mortification  and  surprise,  that  these  three  captains  made 
their  detachment  from  Arnold,  a  condition  of  assent  to  the 
service.||  To  this  act  of  injustice,  the  General  would  not 
consent,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty,  that  the  malcon- 
tents could  be  made  to  forego  their  unreasonable  demand, 
and  join  in  the  attack. 

*  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper.         t  Idem, 
i  American  Archives.  $  Idem.  ||  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  127 

This  insurrectionary  movement  quelled,  the  General  formed 
his  plan  of  the  assault.  One-third  part  of  the  effective  men 
of  the  army,  taking  advantage  of  a  favorable  wind,  were  to 
fire  some  houses  which  would  have  communicated  the  con- 
flagration to  the  stockades  recently  erected  at  St.  Roques,* 
and  in  the  confusion,  they  were  to  force  the  barriers  of  the 
lower  town,  while  the  main  body  attempted  the  bastion  at 
Cape  Diamond,  by  escalade.f  The  ladders  were  provided, 
and  a  favorable  moment  awaited  with  anxiety,  but  from  some 
movement  of  the  garrison,  it  was  suspected,  that  the  plan 
had  been  made  known  to  the  Governor,!  by  deserters,  who 
had  left  the  camp,  after  the  arrangement  had  been  deter- 
mined on,  and  the  design  was  abandoned.  Still  resolved  upon 
a  coup  de  main,  the  General  directed  Col.  Livingston  to 
make  a  false  attack,  with  shew  of  firing  the  gate  of  St.  John, 
and  another  detachment  under  Capt.  Brown,  to  make  a  feint 
upon  the  bastion  at  Cape  Diamond.^  While  Arnold's  corps, 
strengthened  by  Capt.  Lamb,  with  forty  men  of  his  company, 
should  assault  the  suburbs  and  batteries  by  St.  Roques,||  Mont- 
gomery himself,  at  the  head  of  the  residue  of  the  forces,  was 
to  pass  below  the  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond,  and  defiling 
along  the  river,  carry  the  defences  at  Drummond's  Wharf. 
The  morning  of  31st  December  arrived,  and  with  it  a  heavy 
fall  of  snow,  which  in  some  measure,  gave  facility  to  the 
operations,  and  all  parties  proceeded  to  execute  the  several 
duties  assigned  to  them.U  Something  occurred  to  prevent 
Livingston's  attack  on  the  gate  of  St.  John,  thereby  failing 
to  create  a  diversion  favorable  to  Arnold's  detachment.  But 
the  feint  on  Cape  Diamond  was  made,  which  concealed  the 
march  of  the  General,  who,  notwithstanding  great  difficul- 
ties, occasioned  by  the  broken  and  narrow  path  they  had  to 
pursue;  he,  at  the  head  of  his  forlorn  hope,  surprised  the  bat- 
tery, and  as  soon  as  the  piquets  could  be  sufficiently  removed, 

*  American  Archives.  f  Idem. 

t  Marshall,  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper.         $  Idem.         |  Idem. 

1f  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper. 


128  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

with  his  aids,  and  Capt.  Cheeseman,  of  the  first  New  York 
regiment,  followed  by  some  of  his  men,  he  entered  the  breach 
sword  in  hand.*  The  surprise  was  perfect;  the  gunners 
broke  from  their  guns,  leaving  their  linstocks  behind  them.f 
The  General,  and  his  gallant  associates,  were  pressing  on, 
elated  with  success,  when  a  drunken  sailor,!  staggering  up 
to  the  gun,  gave  fire  with  most  fatal  effect.  The  gallant 
Montgomery,  with  McPherson,  one  of  his  aids,  and  the  brave 
Capt.  Cheeseman,  of  the  Yorkers,  were  struck  down.  The 
two  first  were  instantly  killed,  but  Cheeseman,  who  had 
received  a  canister  shot  through  the  body,  made  an  effort  to 
rise,  and  push  onward;  but  the  wound  was  mortal,  and  he 
fell  back  a  corpse. 

This  gallant  officer,  had  a  remarkable  presentiment,  that 
he  should  fall  in  the  attack,  and  mentioned  it  freely  to  his 
comrades.  He  dressed  himself  that  morning  with  unusual 
neatness,  and  putting  a  considerable  sum  of  gold  in  his  pocket, 
cheerfully  remarked,  that  it  might  ensure  him  a  decent  burial. 
With  him,  fell  a  sergeant,  and  several  men  of  his  company.§ 
The  death  of  Montgomery,  was  fatal  to  the  enterprise.  The 
officer  next  to  the  General  in  lineal  rank,  was  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  front  of  the  detachment,  and  Col.  Campbell, 
the  Quartermaster-General  to  the  army  of  the  north,  took  the 
responsibility  of  assuming  the  command,  for  which  he  was 
totally  unqualified;  for  instead  of  inspiriting  the  men,  and 
pressing  on  the  victory  half  won,  he  was  entirely  discon- 
certed by  the  sudden  loss  of  the  commander,  and  ordered  a 
retreat,  leaving  ||  behind  him  fifteen  dead  bodies  of  the  detach- 
ment, among  whom  was  that  of  Montgomery  himself. 

*  Marshall,  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper.         t  Idem. 

t  Family  tradition.  §  Holt. 

U  It  was  unfortunate  that  this  individual  had  acquired  so  much  influ- 
ence over  the  mind  of  the  General,  as  to  have  been  employed  on  this  oc- 
casion, and  still  more  so,  that  no  officer  was  present,  entitled  to  dispute 
the  command  with  Col.  Campbell.  Parts  of  the  New  York  regiments 
were  engaged  in  this  storm;  but  the  first  had  marched  under  the  Lieut. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  129 

Meanwhile,  the  diversion  in  favor  of  the  other  detachment, 
the  attack  upon  the  gate  of  St.  John,  had  failed;*  but  at 
the  signal  given,  they  marched  with  great  secrecy  and  des- 
patch. It  was  necessary  to  make  a  considerable  detour  to 
the  south,  in  order  to  gain  the  east  side  of  the  town ;  and  to 
march  through  the  suburb  St.  Roque,  under  the  walls,  to  the 
south,  or  river  side  of  the  city.  Arnold,  like  Montgomery, 
had  resolved  to  lead  the  forlorn  hope  in  person.  Accompa- 
nied by  Oswald,  one  of  his  former  captains  at  Ticonderoga, 
now  his  secretary!  and  twenty-five  men,  and  followed  by 
Captain  LambJ  and  his  company,  with  a  field  piece,  mount- 
ed on  a  sled,  they  pressed  on  to  the  attack.  The  main  body 
marched  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery;  a  company  with  ladders 
and  scaling  implements  preceding  Morgan  with  his  riflemen. 
The  path  to  the  battery  was  so  narrow,  that  the  guns  which 
defended  it  commanded  every  inch  of  the  passage;  while 
the  right  flank  of  the  whole  corps  was  exposed  to  a  fire  from 
the  walls  of  the  town§  and  the  pickets  of  the  barrier.  The 
fall  of  snow,  which  had  continued  without  intermission,  was 
so  heavy,  and  the  drifts  so  deep,  as  to  render  it  impossible  to 
move  the  field  piece  further;  and  Captain  Lamb  sent  notice 
to  the  commander,  while  his  company  was  brought  to  a  halt.|| 
He  informed  the  officer  of  the  next  corps  in  his  rear  of  his 
inability  to  move,  and  offered  to  open  his  column,  so  as  to 
permit  the  advance;  but  the  prudent  captain  declined  to 
avail  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  lead  the  van,  alleging 

Colonel,  and  even  he  had  been  left  behind  at  Montreal,  and  Col.  James 
Clinton,  of  the  third  regiment,  brother  of  George  Clinton,  afterwards  Go- 
vernor of  New  York,  did  not  arrive  in  camp  until  a  fortnight  after  the  re- 
pulse. Had  not  that  officer  been  on  other  duty,  the  command  would  have 
devolved  on  him,  and  from  his  well  known  resolution,  we  have  assurance 
that  he  would  not  have  retreated,  while  a  possibility  of  success  remained. 

*  Marshall.  t  American  Archives. 

t  The  histories  of  this  seige,  all  deceived  by  Lamb  being  with  Arnold's 
detachment  at  the  storm,  affirm  that  he  marched  with  him  through  the 
wilderness*,  and  Marshall,  in  his  last  revised  edition,  has  not  corrected 
the  error  of  his  first  publication  in  that  respect. 

$  Idem  ||  Family  tradition. 

17 


130  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

that  he  was  specially  ordered  to  keep  in  rear  of  the  artillery, 
and  the  march  of  the  whole  detachment  was  impeded.* 
Morgan,  who  followed  next,  pressed  forward  to  ascertain  the 
delay;  and  ordered  the  too  scrupulous  officer  onward,  with 
a  very  emphatic  anathema.  The  artillery  opened  to  the 
right  and  left,  and  afforded  a  passage.  In  this  manner,  they 
passed  through  to  the  front,  and  Morgan  was  first  after  Ar- 
nold, under  the  piquets  of  the  battery,  and  engaged  with  the 
enemy.f 

Arnold  was  now  wounded  and  forced  to  retire  j  and  Lamb, 
receiving  orders  to  abandon  the  gun,  led  on  his  company, 
armed  with  muskets,  to  assist  the  advance.  J  The  joining  of 
Lamb  with  a  band  of  resolute  fellows  with  bayonets,  was  to 
Morgan  a  joyful  circumstance.  The  rifle  is  not  an  efficient 
weapon  in  an  escalade,  particularly  in  the  obscurity  of  a 
night,  increased  by  the  falling  snow;  and  although  Botta, 
in  extolling  the  skill  of  the  American  sharp  shooters,  makes 
them  kill  many  of  the  British  gunners  through  the  embra- 
zures,  he  forgets  that  the  darkness  was  such,  that  the  posi- 
tion of  those  embrazures  could  only  be  known  by  the  fire  of 
the  artillery;  and  that  the  transient  flashes  which  issued 
from  the  guns,  could  not  afford  time  for  deliberate  aim.  The 
battery  was  well  defended;  and  close  under  the  muzzles  of 
the  guns  the  assailants  received  a  discharge  of  grape  shot; 
miraculously  escaping  with  the  loss  of  one  man  only.  The 
remains  of  the  forlorn  hope,  under  Oswald,||  now  joined 
Lamb's  company;  and  the  whole  force  mounting  the  para- 
pet, they  carried  the  place  with  the  bayonet,  taking  the  cap- 
tain of  the  guard  and  the  garrison  prisoners.TT 

An  hour  now  elapsed  since  the  first  fire  was  opened  from 
the  walls  and  the  battery;  and  it  beginning  to  grow  lighter, 
the  invaders  who  were  pressing  on  to  the  second  barrier, 
were  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  the  walls  of  the  city, 
which  constantly  thinned  their  ranks;  but  as  each  brave  fel- 

*  Family  tradition.  t  Idem.         J  Idem.         $  Marshall. 

||  Family  tradition.  Tf  Holt's  paper. 


Lith.  of  R.BPeasr,  >M?>any 


« 


b    lad 


5  M  *  a 

b4   J        3 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  131 

low  fell,  if  any  life  remained  in  him,  he  cheered  on  his  com- 
rades to  the  attack.*  The  second  barrier  was  soon  reached 
and  assaulted  with  great  resolution.  The  defence  was  a 
brave  one,  and  the  enemy  maintained  it  as  long  as  possible; 
but  all  advancing  to  the  charge,  the  defenders  broke  from 
their  guns,  and  the  battery  was  gained:  one  of  the  gunners, 
more  resolute  than  the  rest,  ran  back,  linstock  in  hand,  to 
give  the  last  shot.f  Captain  Lamb,  within  a  few  yards  dis- 
tance, discovered  him  as  he  advanced,  and  twice  snapped 
his  fusee  at  him  as  he  made  the  attempt;  but  the  priming 
being  wetted  with  the  snow,  failed  to  explode;  and  in  the 
act  of  priming  for  the  third  effort,  the  cannon  was  dis- 
charged.! A  grape  shot  hit  Lamb  on  the  left  cheek,  near 
the  eye,  and  carried  away  part  of  the  bone ;  the  force  of  the 
blow  and  the  concussion  of  the  shot,  stunned  him,  and  threw 
him  senseless  upon  the  snow.  Some  of  his  faithful  fellows 
carried  him  into  a  cooper's  shop  near  at  hand,  and  laid  him 
upon  a  pile  of  shavings,  still  insensible. 

The  principal  defences  of  the  town  were  carried,  and  the 
victorious  vanguard,  unsupported  by  the  main  body  (except 
some  few  who  under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Greene 
and  Majors  Meigs  and  Bigelow  had  pushed  on  to  the  first 
barrier),  were  prepared  to  advance  into  the  town;  when  the 
garrison  recovering  from  their  consternation,  and  relieved  of 
their  fears  by  the  retreat  of  Campbell;  sallied  in  force  from 
the  Palace  gate,||  and  cut  off  the  advanced  party.  The  main 
body  retreated  to  camp,  leaving  behind  the  field-piece,  which 
had  been  abandoned  as  useless  by  the  stormers,  and  the  mor- 
tars in  the  battery  at  St.  Roques.lF  A  charge  was  made  by 
the  garrison,  and  some  of  the  officers  and  men,  who  had  not 
passed  the  first  barrier,  were  taken  prisoners.**  Meanwhile, 
news  had  arrived  of  the  death  of  Montgomery,  and  of  the 
defeat  of  the  other  detachment.  The  advance  was  hemmed 
in  on  all  sides.     To  cut  their  way  through  was  impracticable, 

*  Family  tradition         f  Idem.         J  Idem. 

[|  American  Archives.  ^  Holt's  paper.  **Marshall. 


132  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

as  they  would  have  been  exposed  to  a  flanking  fire  of  the 
whole  garrison  who  manned  the  walls,  while  they  were  en- 
gaged with  the  party  which  had  intercepted  their  retreat  in 
front.  They  therefore  threw  themselves  into  a  stone  house 
near  Limeburner's  wharf  and  resolved  to  make  good  their 
defence.  This  was  difficult,  as  their  pieces  were  so  much 
disabled  by  the  wet,  that  not  one  in  ten  would  give  fire* 
Cannon  were  now  brought  up  from  the  St.  Charles  side,  and 
prepared  to  play  upon  the  house,  and  Morgan,  finding  hope 
of  relief  unavailing,  after  having  been  in  action  for  three 
hours,  reluctantly  surrendered.! 

In  searching  for  the  dead  and  wounded,  Capt.  Lamb  was 
found  where  he  had  been  left;  still  without  consciousness, 
benumbed  with  cold,  and  loss  of  blood.  A  surgeon,  after 
examination,  pronounced  him  yet  alive,  and  made  prepara- 
tions to  restore  him  to  animation.  While  thus  engaged,  a 
Scott's  commissary,  who  had  been  in  service  in  New  York,J 
who  had  known  Captain  Lamb,  and  was  familiar  with  some 
of  the  the  exploits  attributed  to  him,  exclaimed  to  the  sur- 
geon that  he  had  better  let  him  die;  as  a  person  so  obnoxious 
to  the  King's  vengeance,  would  assuredly  be  tried  and  con- 
victed for  his  manifold  offences;  and  that  it  would  be  a  kind 
of  charity,  thus  to  save  him  from  the  gallows.  The  surgeon 
rejected  the  humane  suggestion,  and  having  revived  him,  his 
patient  was  carried  to  the  convent  of  the  nuns  of  the  order 
of  Mercy,  then  the  temporary  hospital ;  not  however,  without 
being  plundered  of  his  shoes  and  buckles,  by  some  of  the 
underlings;  and  without  shoes,  supported  by  two  men,  he 
was  assisted  over  the  paved  court,  covered  with  snow,  and 
put  to  bed  in  that  condition  in  his  wet  garments. 

These  circumstances,  together  with  previous  exposure, 
brought  on  next  day  a  severe  fit  of  the  gout;  which  greatly 
added  to  the  pain  of  his  wound,  and  protracted  his  cure. 
While  in  this  state,  he  was  visited  by  the  officious  commis- 

*  Marshall.  f  American  Archives. 

\  Family  tradition. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  133 

sary,  who  exhausted  his  rhetoric  in  the  same  arguments 
which  he  had  held  to  the  surgeon.  He  told  him  of  Allen's 
having  been  sent  home  in  irons  to  be  tried;  that  his  fate 
would  be  no  less  severe  and  certain;  and  that  the  King  would 
never  pardon  so  attrocious  a  rebel.  These  follies  might 
have  annoyed  a  man  less  resolute  than  Captain  Lamb;  but 
he  contented  himself  with  assuring  his  Caledonian  adviser, 
that  if  his  Majesty  should  wreak  such  vengeance  on  him, 
that  Washington  would  retaliate,  by  awarding  the  same  fate 
to  as  good  a  man  as  he  was;  and  that  he  had  fortunately 
assisted  to  place  such  a  one  in  his  hands,  by  his  services  at 
St.  Johns. 

The  Commissary  was  not  far  wrong  in  his  conclusions. 
Governor  Carleton  seriously  meditated  such  proceeding 
against  his  prisoner,  for  having  surprised  the  magazine  at 
Turtle  Bay;*  or  in  loyal  parlance,  robbed  the  King's  stores. 
Preparations  were  made  to  send  him  out  in  the  Diana  fri- 
gate, which  was  to  depart  on  the  opening  of  the  river;  and 
even  before  he  was  convalescent,  an  officer  of  rank  commu- 
nicated to  him  the  Governor's  designs,  and  magnified  the 
danger  to  which  he  was  exposed.  Capt.  Lamb  in  reply, 
bade  him  assure  his  Excellency,  that  in  the  cause  of  his 
country  he  was  able  to  endure  more  than  he  could  possibly 
inflict.  And  if  measures  were  carried  to  the  last  extremity 
against  him,  he  was  well  assured,  that  Congress  would  direct 
ample  retribution.f  In  this  he  was  not  mistaken;  for  upon 
a  knowledge  of  Carleton's  determination,  that  functionary 
was  informed  from  authentic  sources,  that  whatever  rigors 
were  imposed  upon  his  prisoner  by  him,  would  be  retaliated 
to  the  utmost,  upon  the  officers  taken  at  St.  Johns. 

For  a  long  time,  the  wound  of  Captain  Lamb  continued 
painful,  and  dangerous;  and  it  was  found  difficult  to  give 
him  a  any  nourishment,  except  by  pressing  open  his  mouth 
and  administering  liquid  aliments;  and  this  inconvenience  ex- 
isted to  the  day  of  his  death.     At  first  it  was  supposed  that 

*  Family  tradition.  t  Idem. 


134  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  eye  was  not  permanently  injured;  but  these  hopes  proved 
fallacious,  and  it  was  soon  found  that  the  sight  was  totally 
destroyed.  After  a  fortnight  had  elapsed,  the  surgeon  who 
had  hastily  dressed  the  wound,  informed  his  patient,  that  if 
he  would  hazard  the  danger  and  endure  the  pain  of  a  se- 
cond operation,  the  rigidity  of  the  jaw  might  be  in  some 
degree  relaxed.  And  at  least,  the  scar  might  be  rendered 
less  conspicuous.  To  this,  Captain  Lamb  consented,  and  the 
operation,  so  far  as  regarded  the  cicatrice,  was  tolerably  suc- 
cessful, but  the  greater  evil  was  but  partially  remedied. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  135 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Enterprise  fails  by  Irresolution  of  Campbell. — Lamb  promoted. — Quebec 
Horologer. — Prisoners  in  the  Seminary. — Plan  Escape. — Discovered 
and  Plan  abandoned. — Some  of  the  Privates  enlist. — Reproved  by  Lamb 
and  Steele. — Maclean's  Letter. — Treatment  of  the  Prisoners  — Block- 
ade continued. — Distresses  of  Invaders, — Confidence  of  the  Canadians 
declines. — Detachment  from  the  Town  defeated. — Arrival  of  Wooster. 
— Thomas. — River  opens. — Sortie  of  Carleton. — Retreat  of  the  Ame- 
ricans.— Affair  of  the  Cedars — of  Three  Rivers. 

The  disastrous  termination  of  this  storm  was  deeply  de- 
plored, and  its  consequences  were  productive  of  the  entire 
ruin  of  the  campaign.  The  brave  party  which  had  actually 
taken  the  place,  and  properly  sustained,  would  have  held  it, 
were  left  entirely  without  support;  nor  was  any  movement 
made  to  create  a  diversion  in  their  favor.  The  incapable 
Campbell,  who  still,  in  consequence  of  Arnold's  wound,  as- 
sumed command,  in  his  letter  to  General  Wooster,  talked  of 
an  enterprise  to  relieve  them  after  dark;*  as  if  by  miracle, 
a  handful  of  men,  could  in  a  house  with  no  defences,  resist 
five  times  their  number,  (provided  with  competent  artillery,) 
for  a  whole  day.  It  is  certain,  that  if  he  had  conquered  the 
momentary  panic,  if,  indeed,  any  such  existed,  after  the  fall 
of  Montgomery,  and  shewed  sufficient  courage  and  conduct 
in  persisting  in  the  assault,  the  whole  of  Arnold's  detach- 
ment would  have  made  a  lodgement  in  the  town,  and  the 
Governor,  between  two  fires,  and  with  a  disaffected  population, 
would  have  been  compelled  to  surrender.  But  so  far  was  he 
from  acting  the  part  of  a  judicious  leader,  and  keeping  the 
division,  the  command  of  which  he  had  usurped,  in  action, 
that  he  not  only  ordered  a  retreat,  but  sent  word  to  the  de- 
tachment on  the  other  side  of  the  town,  of  the  disasters  which 
ha  d  occurred,  and  of  the  cessation  of  the  assault  on  his  part.f 

*  American  Archives.  t  American  Archives,  Holt's  paper. 


136  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Those,  therefore,  who  had  not  penetrated  beyond  the  Palace 
gate,  fell  back;  and  the  British  troops  in  the  sortie  from  the 
gate,  meeting  no  obstacle,  after  having  driven  off  the  sup- 
port upon  which  they  relied,  took  a  position  which  effectually 
cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  party  which  had  penetrated  into  the 
place. 

The  unfortunate  victims  of  this  conduct  of  Campbell,  ana- 
thematized him  for  his  cowardice  in  unmitigated  terms,* 
and  all  ascribed  to  him,  the  failure  of  an  expedition  well 
planned,  and  which  certainly  on  their  part,  had  been  effi- 
ciently executed;  the  frustration  of  which,  was  the  cause  of 
their  captivity  and  their  subsequent  misfortunes.  The  suf- 
ferings of  Capt.  Lamb,  were  somewhat  alleviated  by  the  re- 
ceipt of  a  commission,  elevating  him  to  the  rank  of  Major; 
and  appointing  him  to  the  command  of  the  artillery  of  the 
northern  department.  This  promotion  was  exceedingly  gra- 
tifying to  him,  especially  as  it  was  accompanied  by  a  resolve 
of  Congress,  approving  of  his  past  services,  in  the  following 
words: 

"  Resolved,  That  Capt.  Lamb  be  appointed  Commander 
of  the  Artillery  in  the  Northern  Department,  with  the  rank 
of  Major;  and  that  he  be  allowed  fifty  dollars  per  month, 
from  the  first  day  of  the  present  month,  as  a  reward  for  his 
activity,  and  spirited  conduct,  in  the  last  campaign."! 

He  was  also  appointed  to  the  regiment  of  artillery,  com- 
manded by  Col.  Knox;  and  Washington,  in  a  letter  from 
Cambridge,  thus  announces  the  appointment  to  Gen.  Schuy- 
ler. "  Capt.  Lamb  is  appointed  second  Major  in  the  regi- 
ment of  artillery,  commanded  by  Col.  Henry  Knox.  This 
promotion  I  thought  due  to  his  merit  and  bravery."! 

For  these  promotions,  he  was  doubtless  indebted  without 
knowing  it,  to  the  representations  of  Gen.  Schuyler,  in  July, 
1775,  and  afterwards  reiterated  at  the  suggestion  of  Mont- 
gomery.    This  increase  of  rank,  however,  aggravated  the 

*  Family  tradition.  f  Jour,  of  Cong.,  v.  ii,  p.  17,  Jan.  9,  1776. 

J  American  Archives. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  137 

tediousness  of  captivity;  as  he  was  exceedingly  anxious  to 
serve  his  country  in  that  more  extended  sphere,  which  this 
commission  entitled  him  to  assume. 

As  soon  as  he  became  convalescent,  his  first  inquiry  was 
after  the  expert  director  of  the  gun,  which  had  given  him  so 
much  trouble,  in  order  to   cultivate  his  acquaintance.     He 
found  that  this  piece  had  been  in  charge  of  a  clock-maker 
of  eminence  in  the  town,  who  in  his   expertness,  had  suffi- 
ciently proved  that  his  talents  as  an  engineer,  were  of  no 
mean  rank,  whatever  might  have  been  his  skill  in  horology.* 
After  being  discharged  from  the  hospital,  Maj.  Lamb  joined 
the  party  of  officers  confined  in  the  seminary,!  who  had 
every  indulgence  from  the  Governor,  which  they  could  rea- 
sonably expect.     Still  confinement  was  irksome,  and  they 
formed  a  scheme  to  escape.}:     By  the  aid  of  some  friendly 
citizens,  they  had  opened  a  communication  with  our  troops 
without;  and  had  digested  a  plan.     This  plan  was  commu- 
nicated to  Gov.  Carleton,  who  took  his  measures  accordingly. 
No  notice  was  given  to  the  prisoners,  that  their  design  had 
been  disclosed;  but  every  avenue  of  escape  was  secured,  and 
the  garrison  so  disposed,  that  the  effort  would  have  been  ren- 
dered fruitless  to  all,  and  utterly  destructive  of  the  greater 
part.     Thus  in  a  false  security ,§  the  prisoners  awaited  the 
signal:  fortunately,  an  honest  baker,  who  had  supplied  them, 
had  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  preparation  of  the  garrison; 
and  stationing  himself  beneath  one  of  the  windows  of  the 
prison,  attracted  the  notice  of  those  within.     To  these  he 
made  known  that  their  plot  had  been  betrayed  to  the  Gover- 
nor, and  the  measures  taken  to  destroy  them,  in  the  attempt 
to  carry  it  into  effect.|| 

How  far  this  scheme  of  punishing  in  so  sanguinary  a  man- 
ner, a  very  natural  effort  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners  to  set 
themselves  at  liberty,  squares  with  the  character  of  the  Go- 
vernor for  humanity  on  other  occasions,  it  would  be  difficult 
to  decide;  and  certainly,  the  premeditated  destruction  of  so 

•Family  tradition.         fldem.         J  Idem.         §  Idem.         ||  Idem. 

18 


138  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

many  brave  men,  whose  escape  might  have  been  prevented, 
with  safety  to  the  garrison,  without  this  wholesale  slaughter; 
wants  an  excuse  beyond  the  ordinary  suggestions  of  self 
preservation. 

Of  the  detachment  of  Lamb's  company,  who  had  followed 
him  to  the  storm,  many  were  natives  of  the  mother  country, 
and  threats,  and  blandishments  were  profusely  used,  to  in- 
duce them  to  enlist  in  the  British  regiments.*  The  bravery 
which  these  good  fellows  had  displayed,  was  a  strong  induce- 
ment to  obtain  their  service,  and  no  art  was  left  untried,  to 
coax  or  threaten  them  into  enlistment.  Thirteen  of  those 
who  were  taken  yielded,  and  took  service  under  the  Royal 
flag;t  though  four  of  these  did  so,  to  enable  them  to  get  a 
chance  for  escape,  and  to  join  their  old  standard,  which  they 
did  soon  afterwards.!  Some  of  the  prisoners  of  the  other 
companies  also  had  been  won  by  similar  inducements,  and 
when  it  became  known  to  the  officers,  they  expressed  their 
disapprobation.  Maj.  Lamb,  and  Lieut.  Steele,  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Riflemen,  were  more  violent  and  vociferous  in  their 
denunciation  of  these  backsliders,  than  any  others;§  and  in 
their  vehemence  in  behalf  of  the  cause  which  they  had  es- 
poused, probably  lost  sight  of  the  bounds  of  strict  prudence, 
in  the  language  used  on  the  occasion.  This  was  deemed  so 
offensive,  that  Col.  Maclean  was  instructed  to  write  them  the 
following  letter  : 

Quebec,  January  30,  1776. 
Gentlemen  : 

Gen.  Carleton  is  very  much  surprised  to  hear,  that  you 
make  use  of  improper  language,  respecting  the  unfortunate 
disputes  between  the  Mother  Country  and  her  Colonies;  par- 
ticularly, your  upbraiding  some  of  the  poor,  unfortunate  de- 
luded people,  who  were  taken  prisoners  with  you,  on  the  31st 
December,  in  finding  fault  with  their  conduct,  for  their  hav- 
ing now  engaged  to  serve  their  King  and  Country. 

I  will  venture  to  say,  that  it  will  give  Gen.  Carleton,  and 
those  under  his  command,  great  pleasure  to  show  you  all  the 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         t  Idem.         J  Idem.        $  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  139 

marks  of  good  nature,  and  humanity,  that  the  situation  of  the 
garrison  will  admit  of;  but  it  will  be  out  of  his  power  to  do 
that,  if  you,  gentlemen,  shall  persist  in  holding  a  language, 
that  is  both  indecent,  and  improper,  in  your  present  situa- 
tion. It  is  also  desired,  that  you  will  not  be  holding  any  con- 
versation with  the  guard  or  sentries  set  over  you,  as  it  can 
answer  no  good  end  to  you,  and  may  be  of  bad  consequences. 
I  am,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

Allan  Maclean.* 
To  Messrs.  Lamb,  and  Steele. 

It  is  probable  that  the  rhetorical  powers  of  both  these  gen- 
tlemen, were  not  again  exercised,  to  the  annoyance  of  the 
Governor.  The  mischief  had  been  done;  farther  objurgation, 
was  neither  necessary  or  prudent,  and  the  Governor  being 
content  with  expressing  his  displeasure  through  Col.  Maclean, 
took  no  farther  notice  of  the  affair,  and  made  no  discrimina- 
tion between  them  and  the  others.  The  whole  conduct  of 
that  officer,  (if  his  silence  on  discovering  the  design  to  es- 
cape, be  not  an  exception),  was  marked  by  great  humanity, 
and  kindness.  The  heroic  daring  displayed  during  the  as- 
sault of  the  lower  town,  won  his  admiration  and  regard;  and 
he  took  pleasure  in  administering  to  the  comforts  of  men, 
who  had  exhibited  those  qualifications,  which  never  fail  to 
command  the  respect  of  a  veteran  soldier.  The  French  in- 
habitants of  the  town,  were  favorably  disposed  towards  the 
American  cause,  and  did  what  they  could,  and  were  permitted 
to  do,  to  soften  the  sorrows,  and  amuse  the  minds  of  the  pri- 
soners. The  Bishop  of  Quebec  sent  them  books,  for  their 
more  sedate  hours,  and  a  supply  of  playing  cards  for  their 
lighter  amusements.  Yet  still  the  "  bitter  draught"  of  cap- 
tivity brought  with  it,  its  usual  concomitants.  Discontents, 
murmurings,  querulous  complaints,  and  even  bickerings  be- 
tween officers  of  different  corps.  Maj.  Meigs,  in  allusion  to 
some  of  these,  in  a  letter  to  Lamb,  after  his  return  says,  "  I 
believe  that  nothing  under  Heaven,  ruins  the  mind  of  man, 
equal  to  long  and  severe  imprisonment." 
*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


140  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

But  if  such  be  the  general  effects  of  captivity,  there  are 
many  exceptions  :  for  on  this  occasion,  Maj.  Lamb  formed 
some  ardent  friendships,  which  endured  to  the  last  of  his  life. 
At  Quebec,  he  first  met  Arnold,  who,  in  courage  and  daring, 
was  a  kindred  spirit;  side  by  side  with  him,  and  with  his  ac- 
complished comrade  Oswald,  with  Morgan,  Greene,  Thayer, 
Heth,  Meigs,  Febiger,  Porterfield,  and  Steele,  he  had  done 
and  witnessed  deeds  which  had  endeared  them  to  him  forever, 
and  which  had  excited  corresponding  emotions  in  them;  and 
with  these,  until  the  monstrous  derilection  of  the  first;  and 
the  death  of  some  of  the  others  dissolved  it,  he  continued  to 
cherish  to  the  day  of  his  death,  this  friendship  formed  in  se- 
vere adversity.* 

The  failure  of  the  attack  on  Quebec  began  now  to  be  felt 
in  all  its  consequences.  Arnold  still  continued  the  blockade, 
but  with  a  force  not  able  to  maintain  it,  had  Carleton  pushed 
a  sortie  from  the  garrison,  which  doubled  the  number  of  the 
effective  men  of  the  blockade.  These  were  ill  supplied  with 
necessaries.  The  military  chest  being  exhausted,  and  the 
credit  of  the  Colonies,  which  had  been  freely  used  at  Mont- 
real by  Montgomery,  was  no  longer  available.  Resort  was 
therefore  had  to  the  issue  of  the  paper  currency  supplied  by 

*  There  was  a  galaxy  of  brave  spirits  at  Quebec,  and  most  of  them  rose 
to  eminence  in  the  service.  The  fame  of  Morgan  is  universal ;  Greene 
acquired  great  reputation  at  the  defence  of  Red  Bank,  on  the  Delaware, 
and  was  killed  near  the  Croton,  in  1781  •,  Thayer  immortalized  himself, 
by  sustaining  the  defence  of  Fort  Mifflin,  after  Col.  Smith  was  disabled; 
Meigs  led  a  successful  expedition  against  Sag  Harbor,  in  1777,  and  was 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment  at  the  storm  of  Stoney  Point,  under  Wayne. 
Febiger  was  a  foreign  officer,  and  held  a  sub-altern's  commission  in  the 
Danish  service;  after  his  exchange,  he  was  appointed  Lieut. -Colonel  of 
the  11th  Virginia  regiment,  and  led  it  at  the  assault  of  Stoney  Point; 
Porterfield,  like  Febiger,  was  a  volunteer,  and  after  his  exchange,  raised 
a  company  at  his  own  expense,  and  was  commissioned  in  the  Virginia 
line;  in  leading  a  regiment,  of  which  he  was  Lieut. -Colonel  Command- 
ent,  he  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Camden ;  Heth  was  an  officer  of  dis- 
tinction, and  kept  a  journal  of  the  events  of  the  war,  which  has  been  of 
use  to  Marshall,  and  many  other  historians.  Neither  Thayer,  or  Steele, 
were  correspondents  of  Lamb,  and  of  their  career  the  writer  is  uninformed. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  141 

Congress,  and  the  circulation  was  extended  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, and  to  the  disgust  of  the  Canadian  population. 

If  any  reinforcements  reached  the  camp,  the  relief  was 
ineffectual ;  and  the  constantly  expiring  engagements  of  the 
men,  who  were  not  backward  in  claiming  their  discharge  as 
soon  as  they  were  entitled  to  it,  thinned  his  ranks  of  ser- 
viceable men,  to  replace  them  with  raw  and  undisciplined 
levies.  Disease  also  did  its  share  to  weaken  the  invaders. 
But  the  most  fatal  effect  of  the  disasters  of  the  thirty-first 
December,  was  the  loss  of  confidence,  which  it  occasioned 
in  the  Canadian  inhabitants,  in  regard  to  the  ultimate  suc- 
cess of  the  invasion.  This  would  have  been  otherwise,  if 
secure  within  the  walls  of  Quebec,  and  well  supported,  as  in 
that  event  they  probably  would  have  been,  by  an  army  com- 
petent to  keep  possession  of  the  province,  the  Americans 
had  seemed  in  a  situation  to  protect  their  allies  for  the  past, 
and  to  secure  them  from  the  consequences  of  future  delin- 
quencies. But  the  reverse  of  the  case  was  so  apparent,  that 
their  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  invaders  was  hourly  on  the 
decline;  and  the  Bostonois,  whom  the  Canadian  peasantry 
had  looked  upon  as  friends  and  deliverers,  began  to  be  viewed 
as  intruders.  Even  the  Seigneurs  themselves,  could  not  help 
considering  them  as  dangerous  connections,  and  began  to 
despair  in  their  hopes  and  expectations  of  benefit  from  the 
invasion. 

Gov.  Carleton  was  well  aware  of  the  combined  causes  of 
the  weakness  of  his  adversaries,  and  of  the  inevitable  con- 
sequences which  would  result  from  them;  and  therefore  con- 
tented himself  with  inactivity  within  the  walls;  trusting  to 
the  elements  of  dissolution  which  were  wasting  the  army  of 
the  Colonies,  as  effectual  means  of  raising  the  seige.  A 
small  detachment  was  indeed  sent  from  the  garrison,  to  give 
countenance  to  an  insurrection  of  the  friendly  Canadians  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  it  crossed  over  to  the  south 
side,  to  beat  up  the  American  station  there.*  But  the  vigi- 
*  Marshall. 


142  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

lance  and  activity  of  Arnold,  defeated  this  scheme.  He  sur- 
prised and  routed  them,  taking  several  prisoners .*  To  make 
show  of  activity,  rather  than  with  the  hope  of  any  serious 
advantage  wTith  such  incompetent  artillery,  Arnold  repaired 
his  batteries,  and  commenced  a  fire  upon  the  town;  but  the 
best  part  of  his  artillerists  had  been  taken  prisoners,  and 
very  little  effect  took  place  from  the  shot  or  shells  expended 
on  the  occasion. 

Gen.  Wooster  arrived  from  Montreal  on  the  1st  April,  and 
Arnold,  who  the  day  after  his  arrival  was  disabled  by  the 
falling  of  his  horse  ;f  as  soon  as  he  was  in  condition  to 
march,  returned  to  Montreal,  and  took  the  command  of  that 
place.J  A  fortnight  had  not  elapsed,  before  Wooster,  on 
the  15th  April,  was  superseded  in  command  by  the  arrival 
of  Gen.  Thomas.  The  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  was  now 
clear  of  ice,  and  symptoms  of  the  breaking  up  of  the  river 
began  to  manifest  themselves.  Reinforcements  from  Eng- 
land were  below,  and  Gen.  Carleton  resolved  on  active  ope- 
rations. He  sallied  from  the  town  at  the  head  of  one  thou- 
sand men,  and  the  Americans  being  too  feeble  to  resist  him, 
on  the  6th  May,  1776,  retired  towards  Montreal,  leaving 
the  sick  and  the  stores  of  the  army  behind  them.§  Disasters 
seemed  to  crowd  upon  the  provincial  forces.  Col.  Bedel, 
who  had  been  stationed  at  the  Cedars,  forty  miles  above 
Montreal,  with  four  hundred  men  and  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
having  notice  that  a  company  of  regulars,  and  a  large  force 
of  Indians  meditated  an  attack  upon  him;  instead  of  sending 
a  messenger  to  Arnold  for  reinforcements,  and  defending  his 
post  in  person;  thought  proper  to  be  himself  the  messenger; 
leaving  a  most  incompetent  substitute  in  command.||  This 
cowardly  officer,  intimidated  by  threats  of  massacre  by  the 
Indians,  although  he  had  sufficient  force  and  means  of  de- 
stroying the  assailants,  surrendered  without  firing  a  gun: IT 
and  a  reinforcement  of  one  hundred  men,  despatched  by  Ar- 
nold in  advance,  while  he  followed  in  person  with  a  larger 

•Marshall.        t  Idem.        t  Idem.        $Idem.        ||Idem.      Hldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  143 

force,  was  attacked  on  the  route,  and  compelled  to  surrender. 
Another  unfortunate  affair  occurred  at  Three  Rivers,  where 
Gen.  Thompson,  with  Col.  Irvin  and  two  hundred  men,  were 
taken.*  These  two  losses  threw  a  heavy  balance  of  prisoners 
in  favor  of  the  enemy,  and  diminished  the  prospect  of  the 
speedy  exchange  of  those  who  were  taken  at  the  storm; 
who  after  the  retreat  of  Thomas,  no  longer  enjoyed  the  com- 
fortable thought  that  their  friends  were  near  them:  and  de- 
prived of  the  cheering  influence  of  their  proximity,  "  stone 
walls  and  iron  bars  "  became  indeed  a  dungeon  to  them. 

While  Arnold  was  playing  upon  the  town,  the  voice  of 
his  artillery  was  music  to  their  ears;  and  whenever  a  shell 
burst  within  the  walls,  though  an  unwelcome  visitor  to  all 
others,  and  might  even  threaten  destruction  to  them,  the 
dangerous  missile  was  hailed  as  a  messenger  of  joy.  Now 
all  was  silent  in  that  quarter;  and  the  pouring  in  of  rein- 
forcements to  the  garrison,  at  the  opening  of  the  river,  gave 
a  death  blow  to  all  hope  of  release  for  themselves,  and  created 
great  fears  for  the  safety  of  the  whole  Provincial  army. 

*  Marshall. 


144  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Prisoners  apply  for  Release  on  Parole. — Negociation. — Effected  by  in- 
terposition of  Foreign  Officers. — Arrival  in  Bay  of  New  York. — The 
Great  Fire. — Lamb  reports  himself  at  Head  Quarters. — To  Congress. 
— Promoted. — Ordered  to  raise  a  Regiment. — Oswald,  Lieut. -Colonel. 
— Officers  from  New  Haven  —  Other  Parts  of  Connecticut. — Sons  of 
Liberty. — Mott. — Wiley. — Robert  Troup. — General  Knox. — Paul  Re- 
vere.— Sears. — Major  Ebenezer  Stevens. 

Some  of  the  officers  had  applied  for  and  obtained  permis- 
sion to  return  home  on  parole,  and  had  taken  their  depart- 
ure. The  remainder  resolved  to  ask  similar  indulgence, 
which  was  done  in  the  following  letter  to  the  Governor: 

May  it  please  your  Excellency: 

Impressed  with  a  just  sense  of  your  Excellency's  humani- 
ty and  benevolence,  and  urged  by  the  peculiarity  of  our  pre- 
sent disagreeable  situation,  being  destitute  of  friends  and 
money;  we  beg  leave  to  request,  that  your  Excellency  will 
condescend  to  take  our  case  into  consideration;  and  grant  us 
relief,  by  permitting  us  to  return  to  our  respective  homes  on 
parole,  which  we  shall  ever  deem  sacred;  assuring  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  we  shall  make  it  a  point  to  surrender  ourselves 
to  such  of  His  Majesty's  officers,  when  and  where  your  Ex- 
cellency may  think  proper  to  direct;  unless  we  should  be 
released  from  our  parole  by  an  exchange  of  prisoners;  should 
such  an  event  take  place,  we  entreat  your  Excellency  that 
we  may  be  included. 

Being  likewise  sensibly  touched  with  the  deplorable  state 
of  our  men,  who  remain  prisoners  at  present;  we  take  the 
liberty  to  recommend  them  to  your  Excellency's  considera- 
tion; earnestly  soliciting  that  some  measures  may  be  taken 
for  their  relief.  And  we  should  be  extremely  happy  if  they 
could  possibly  return  to  their  families,  many  of  whom,  must 
be  reduced  to  the  greatest  distress. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  145 

Your  Excellency's  compliance  will  be  esteemed  a  singular 
favor,  and  ever  gratefully  acknowledged,  by 
Your  Excellency's  most  obedient 

and  very  humble  servants, 

Christopher  Greene, 
John  Lamb, 

And  thirty-three  others. 
Seminary,  Quebec,  7th  June,  1776.* 

The  Governor  objected  to  the  closing  sentence  of  the  first 
paragraph,  relating  to  the  possibility  of  being  exchanged, 
and  sent  the  letter  back  to  be  altered.  This  was  done,  and 
the  form  of  the  parole  to  be  exacted  of  them  was  given. 
The  word  "  hereafter"  was  used  in  such  context  with  the 
other  parts  respecting  future  service,  that  the  prisoners 
thought  a  forced  construction  might  preclude  them  from 
again  taking  up  arms;  particularly  as  the  sentence  in  their 
application,  having  special  reference  to  the  right  of  future 
action  in  case  of  exchange,  had  been  expunged;  they,  there- 
fore, begged  that  the  word  might  be  omitted.  The  Governor 
declined  to  vary  the  parole,  alleging  that  Major  Meigs  and 
Captain  Dearborn  had  signed  similar  pledges;  and  an  alter- 
ation in  the  present  case,  might  be  the  means  of  creating  in- 
vidious remarks,  prejudicial  to  those  officers.!  But  the  mat- 
ter was  so  strongly  urged,  that  through  the  kind  influence  of 
Colonel  Foy,  the  deputy  adjutant- general,  the  request  was 
complied  with, J  on  the  2d  August;  and  with  joyful  hearts, 
the  parole  being  given,  the  prisoners,  after  six  months  dreary 
confinement,  prepared  to  revisit  their  homes. 

Option  being  given  them  as  to  the  point  of  debarkation  in 
America,  Boston,  or  a  point  as  nearly  in  its  vicinity  as  cir- 
cumstances would  warrant,  was  the  place  chosen.     On  the 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

|  Their  release  on  parole  and  subsequent  exchange,  were  much  accele- 
rated by  the  foreign  officers  in  the  British  service ;  who,  being  liable  to 
capture  by  the  Americans,  were  anxious  to  establish  facilities  of  which 
they  might,  in  the  casualties  of  war,  be  compelled  to  avail  themselves. 

19 


146  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

—  day  of  August,  Major  Lamb,  his  second  lieutenant,  An- 
drew Moodie,  and  fifteen  of  his  trusty  followers,  embarked 
on  board  a  transport;  but  the  passage  was  long  and  tedious, 
and  the  destination  being  changed  from  Boston  to  New 
York,  it  was  not  until  the  twentieth  of  September,  that  the 
vessels  arrived  on  the  Jersey  coast*  On  board  some  of  the 
transports,  the  "  insolence  of  office"  of  the  cockney  skippers 
had  severely  tried  the  patience  of  those  who  had  been  sub- 
jected to  its  influence;  but  Major  Lamb  and  his  comrades 
had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  a  very  humane  and  con- 
siderate commander;  and  this  conciliatory  conduct  stood  him 
in  good  stead,  for  the  length  of  the  passage  had  exhausted 
his  stores  and  those  of  the  fleet;  but  owing  to  the  favorable 
report  of  his  passengers,  he  was  liberally  supplied  by  the 
patriotic  Jerseymen,  at  the  cheapest  rates,  while  his  less 
humane  countrymen,  met  with  usage  commensurate  with 
their  churlishness;  and  if  supplied  at  all,  were  made  to  pay 
in  extortionate  prices,  the  penalty  of  their  brutality .f 

The  ship  arrived  in  the  bay,  on  the  23d  September,  while 
the  great  fire  was  raging  in  New  York;  and  as  the  flames 
cast  their  broad  light  over  the  water,  Major  Lamb  paced  the 
quarter-deck,  rubbing  his  hands  in  ecstasy  and  exclaiming,  a 
glorious  sight !  The  master  of  the  vessel  was  much  surprised 
at  these  manifestations  of  joy,  where  he  expected  a  different 
sentiment;  and  expressed  his  astonishment,  that  any  person 
could  rejoice  at  the  conflagration  of  his  native  city;  particu- 
larly, one  whose  chief  property  lay  within  reach  of  the  de- 
struction. Let  the  whole  perish,  was  the  reply,  rather  than 
the  city  should  afford  quarters  to  the  enemy,  and  a  point  from 
which  our  armies  can  be  most  annoyed.  As  soon  as  he 
landed  in  New  Jersey,  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  meet  an 
old  customer  who  owed  him  two  hundred  pounds.  This  the 
debtor  was  not  only  willing  to  pay,  but  having  a  larger  sum 
with  him,  and  in  the  unsettled  state  of  the  times,  fearful  of 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.His.  Soc.  f  Family  tradition. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  147 

being  plundered,  he  persuaded  Major  Lamb  to  take  it  on 
loan.  From  these  sources,  he  was  enabled  to  supply  the 
exigencies  of  his  brother  officers,  and  to  furnish  his  soldiers 
with  the  means  of  reaching  their  several  homes. 

Immediately  on  landing,  he  repaired  to  General  Washing- 
ton's army  at  Kingsbridge,  and  reported  himself;  soliciting 
the  influence  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  with  Congress,  to 
hasten  his  exchange.  He  then  joined  his  family  at  Stratford 
in  Connecticut,  to  which  place  they  had  removed  on  the 
evacuation  of  the  city,  and  tenanted  the  house  of  an  old  friend 
and  fellow  soldier,  Robert  Walker.  He  gave  himself  few 
moments  of  repose  in  the  bosom  of  his  family;  for  anxious 
to  be  released  from  his  parole,  and  burning  with  desire  to 
join  the  army  now  removed  to  White  Plains,  and  in  mo- 
mentary expectation  of  a  battle,  he  on  the  25th  November 
addressed  the  following  memorial  to  Congress,  to  urge  on  if 
possible  the  desired  event,  which  would  enable  him  to  share 
in  the  conflicts  which  were  approaching: 

To  the  Honorable  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
Gentlemen: 

Altho'  the  Enemy  have,  contrary  to  my  expectations, 
liberated  me  from  the  dreary  Horrours  of  a  Prison,  and  suf- 
fered me  to  return  to  my  family  and  friends,  I  am  still  subject 
to  their  power  and  controul;  liable  to  be  called  upon  by  them 
to  surrender  myself  a  prisoner  whenever  they  please;  and 
restrained  by  the  sacred  ties  of  honour  from  drawing  my 
sword  again  in  defence  of  my  country  'till  exchanged  for 
some  officer  of  theirs.  Extremely  anxious  to  be  relieved 
from  this  truly  painful  and  disagreeable  situation,  I  waited 
on  General  Washington  immediately  after  my  arrival  from 
Quebec,  earnestly  soliciting  his  interest  with  your  Honours 
for  that  purpose.  But  as  I  have  not  yet  heard  that  such  an 
event  has  taken  place,  owing  I  imagine  to  the  critical  situa- 
tion of  the  two  armies;  I  take  the  liberty  to  address  your 
Honours  on  that  subject,  humbly  requesting  that  I  may  be 
included  in  the  next  exchange  of  Prisoners.  And  as  I  have 
unfortunately  been  prevented  by  the  Fate  of  War  from  taking 
up  arms  again  this  campaign,  in  support  of  the  Freedom  and 
Independence  of  the  American  States;  and  being  conscious 


148  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

of  having  done  no  more  than  my  duty  in  my  former  exertions 
for  the  public  good,  I  can  have  no  claim  to  your  Honours' 
particular  attention.  Yet  as  I  have  been  formerly  honored 
with  your  approbation  of  my  conduct,  and  a  singular  mark 
of  your  confidence,  by  an  appointment  to  the  Chief  Command 
of  the  Artillery  in  the  Northern  Department;  I  flatter  myself 
that  I  have  not  been  neglected  by  your  Honours  in  the  new 
arrangement  of  the  Corps  of  Artillery. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  every  sentiment  of  Gratitude, 
Duty  and  Respect, 
Gentlemen, 

Your  Most  Obedient 

and  very  Humble  Servant, 
John  Lamb.* 

Congress  took  notice  of  this  memorial,  as  will  appear  by 
the  following  extract  from  their  journals: 

"  Friday,  Nov.  29,  1776. 

"  A  petition  from  Major  John  Lamb  was  read:  Whereupon 
Resolved,  That  the  General  be  directed  to  include  Major 
Lamb,  in  the  next  exchange  of  Prisoners." — Jour.  Cong., 
vol.  2,  page  479. 

Thus  secure  of  the  influence  of  the  representatives  of  the 
nation,  he  returned  to  Stratford  to  content  himself  as  best  he 
could,  with  his  present  inaction.  His  heart  was  however 
with  the  army,  and  with  his  compatriots  in  that  disastrous 
campaign;  which  seemed  utterly  fatal  to  the  patriot  cause, 
until  it  was  redeemed  by  the  heroic  achievement  of  Washing- 
ton at  Trenton,  on  the  25th  December. 

Scarce  had  the  news  of  this  victory  reached  him,  when  he 
received  the  following  letter,  written  by  the  order  of  Wash- 
ington, on  the  scene  of  his  glory,  as  he  was  preparing  for 
another  harvest  of  laurels,  on  the  field  of  Princeton  : 

Trenton,  Jan'y  2,  1776,  [1777.] 
Sir:  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  you,  that  Gen.  Howe 
has  consented  to  your  exchange,  and  sent  out  the  parole  which 

*  Lamb  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  149 

you  gave  Gen.  Carleton.     His  Excellency,  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, wishes  to  provide  for  you  in  proportion  to  your  great 
merits,  and  wishes  to  see  you  as  soon  as  possible. 
I  am  Sir  with 

esteem,  your  most 
ob  &  hble  serv't, 

H.  Knox, 
Commanding  the 
Major  Lamb.  Artillery  of  the  U.  States.* 

Agreeably  to  this  mandate,  Maj.  Lamb  hastened  to  join  the 
army  at  Morristown,  to  which  place,  after  the  affair  at  Prince- 
ton, it  had  removed;  and  had  the  gratification  of  receiving  a 
commission  from  Congress,  appointing  him  Lieut.- Colonel, 
Commandant  of  Artillery,  which  was  afterwards  changed  to 
a  full  colonelcy.  He,  soon  received  his  instructions  from 
Gen.  Knox,  dated  22d  January,  1777,  and  was  vested  with 
power  to  appoint  under  him,  one  major,  six  captains,  and 
twenty-five  subalterns,  subject  to  the  negative  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief. 

There  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  Gen.  Arnold,  who  was 
at  head  quarters,  a  short  time  before  the  battle  of  Princeton, 
sustained  to  the  uttermost,  Maj.  Lamb's  application  for  ex- 
change, and  his  appointment  to  immediate  service.  No  man 
was  a  better  judge  of  military  merit;  and  the  evidence  of  the 
necessary  qualification  for  command,  which  he  had  witnessed 
during  the  siege  of  Quebec,  and  the  gallant  bearing  of 'Maj. 
Lamb,  on  the  morning  of  the  storm,  ensured  his  influence  at 
head-quarters.  He  also  did  his  best  to  promote  the  wishes 
and  the  interests  of  his  friend,  and  Secretary  Oswald,  who 
led  the  forlorn  hope  at  Quebec,  after  the  Commander  was 
disabled;  and  Col.  Lamb  was  much  gratified  at  the  assign- 
ment of  that  brave  and  capable  officer  to  his  regiment,  as 
Lieut-ColoneLf 

The  regiment  was  to  be  recruited  in  Connecticut,  and  the 
principal  part  of  the  officers,  within  his  appointment,  were 

♦Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tLamb  papers. 


150  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

selected  from  that  state,  and  quite  a  number  from  New  Ha- 
ven, the  residence  of  Arnold.* 

Samuel  Mansfield,  the  brother  of  the  deceased  wife  of  the 
General,  was  made  a  captain;  John  R.  Throop,  who  had  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  Mrs.  Arnold,  received  a  subaltern's  commis- 
sion, as  did  Stephen  Ailing,  John  Miles,  Peter  Woodward, 
and  Timothy  Mix,  all  of  New  Haven.  Samuel  Webb,  father 
of  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer,  afterwards 
a  member  of  the  military  family  of  the  Commander-in-Chief; 
and  Caleb  Brewster,  an  active  officer,  entrusted  with  secret 
intercourse  with  Long  Island,  and  commander  of  a  successful 
enterprise,  in  which  an  armed  vessel  of  the  enemy  was  cap- 
tured on  the  Sound;  together  with  Samuel  Lockwood,  of 
Stamford,  who  had  done  excellent  service  in  capturing  the 
fleet  of  Carleton,  at  Sorel,  and  who  was  taken  at  the  storm 
of  Quebec,  were  among  the  selections  from  Connecticut! 

Col.  Lamb  was  ever  ready  to  secure  the  services  of  men 
who  had  proved  themselves  true  in  times  of  peril.  Gershom 
Mott  was  one  of  the  associated  Sons  of  Liberty,  and  was  with 
Lamb  on  the  important  Committees  of  1765,  and  1774;  posts 
which  none  coveted,  who  were  not  brave  enough  to  encoun- 
ter the  hazardous  duties  assigned  them.  This  gentleman  had 
been  a  captain  in  the  first,  or  McDougall's  regiment,  in  service 
in  the  Northern  Campaign,  and  was  at  Quebec  until  the  re- 
treat<in  April,  1777;  he  had  claims  to  promotion,  but  was 
disappointed  in  the  reorganization  of  the  regiments,  and  ac- 
cepted the  offer  of  a  company  under  Col.  Lamb.{  Nor  was 
he  less  mindful  of  his  former  associates  in  the  field  of  battle. 
Isaiah  Wool,  who  had  remained  in  command  of  his  company 
after  his  capture;  and  Andrew  Moodie,  his  lieutenant,  taken 
with  him  at  Quebec,  each  received  a  captaincy;  and  Joseph 
Ashton,  his  first  sergeant,  and  Peter  Nestle,  a  matross,  both 
prisoners  with  him,  at  the  same  place,  were  made  subalterns.  § 
Nestle  had  been  one  of  those  who  had  taken  service  with 
Gov.  Carleton,  at  Quebec,  and  had  received  with  others,  the 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.        t  Idem.  J  Idem.         j  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  15  i 

severe  reprobation  of  his  former  captain;  but  the  faithful  fel- 
low was  only  practising  a  ruse,  in  order  to  escape,  and  join 
the  company  at  Montreal;  which  he  did,  and  served  with 
fidelity  and  zeal  until  he  was  discharged;  nor  had  Col.  Lamb 
any  occasion  to  blush  for  the  officers  of  his  selection,  for  all 
performed  good  service  to  the  country. 

Another  of  his  tried  associates  was  John  Wiley,*  to  whom  (/ 
he  offered  a  captain's  commission,  and  for  some  time  kept  it 
at  his  disposal,  in  hope  certain  domestic  arrangements  might 
be  satisfactorily  adjusted,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  accept  it. 
The  estimation  in  which  that  gentleman  was  held  by  his 
friends,  was  such,  that  many  young  officers  were  desirous  of 
serving  under  him;  and  Robert  Troup,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  Gen.  Knox,  a  captain-lieutenant  in  Lamb's  re- 
giment, and  had  relinquished  his  service  in  Col.  Livingston's 
regiment,  in  order  to  join  it;  wrote  to  Col.  Lamb  requesting 
as  a  particular  favor,  that  he  might  be  assigned  to  the  com- 
pany of  Capt.  Wiley;f  but  in  consequence  of  his  declension, 
Mr.  Troup  was  arranged  into  another  company,  where  he  con- 
tinued, until  his  appointment  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Gates  shortly 
after.J 

In  obedience  of  the  orders  of  General  Knox,  Colonel  Lamb 
proceeded  to  Fishkill,  on  the  10th  April,  where  he  remained 

*  Grandfather  of  John  Wiley,  bookseller,  of  Broadway.  This  gentle- 
man was  distinguished  for  his  patriotism  and  intrepidity,  and  was  fore- 
most among  those,  who,  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  pro- 
claimed in  the  city,  tore  down,  in  open  day,  the  leaden  statue  of  George 
the  Third,  from  its  pedestal  in  the  Bowling  Green. 

In  1781,  Doctor  Halstead,  the  brother-in-law  of  Maj .  Wiley,  was  taken 
from  his  residence,  at  Elizabethtown,  by  a  marauding  party  of  the  British, 
and  confined  in  the  city  prison,  under  Cunningham.  As  soon  as  Maj. 
Wiley  was  made  acquainted  with  this  capture,  he  gave  notice  to  some  of 
the  leading  friends  of  the  British,  in  New  Jersey,  that  if  his  brother  was 
not  immediately  released,  he  would  retaliate  upon  them,  and  send  them 
to  the  camp  as  hostages.  The  threat  was  effectual,  and  the  prisoners,  who 
had  been  in  close  confinement,  on  bread  and  water,  were  liberated. — Pa- 
pers N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  J  Idem. 


152  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

for  some  time,  arranging  the  affairs  of  his  regiment.  The 
intercourse  consequent  upon  this  official  consultation,  was 
productive  of  warm  and  confidential  friendship  between  the 
parties;  and  General  Knox  found  his  subordinate  possessed 
of  a  knowledge  of  details  and  practice  in  his  department,  of 
which  he  did  not  scruple  to  avail  himself,  and  he  was  in- 
debted to  Colonel  Lamb  for  recommending  *  and  forwarding 
to  him  some  useful  works,  which  had  not,  until  then,  met  his 
observation.  From  that  time,  until  the  close  of  the  cam- 
paign of  1781,  all  the  communications  which  passed  between 
them,  lost  in  some  degree  their  official  character,  and  as- 
sumed the  guise  of  friendly  intercourse,  between  minds, 
which  congenial  sentiments  and  pursuits,  had  brought  to 
close  affinity. 

When  Colonel  Lamb  reached  home,  after  this  visit,  he 
caused  his  family  to  be  removed  from  Stratford  to  Southing - 
ton,  a  town  twenty-two  miles  inland,  and  north  of  New 
Haven  ;  while  Lieutenant-Colonel  Oswald  was  stationed 
at  the  latter  place,  with  such  recruits  as  he  had  been  enabled 
to  collect.  Immediately  after  receiving  his  orders  to  recruit, 
and  even  before  he  had  obtained  the  necessary  funds  from 
the  government;  Colonel  Lamb  racked  his  own  credit,  and 
that  of  his  friends,  to  obtain  money  to  fill  up  his  companies. 
Hearing  that  men  might  be  raised  at  the  eastward,  and  that  a 
very  accomplished  musician  might  be  obtained  at  Providence; 
Colonel  Oswald  was  dispatched  to  secure  this  man,  and  to 
forward  the  enlistments.  Arriving  at  Providence,  on  the 
16th  February,  Oswald  found  that  the  fifer  had  been  recently 
promoted  to  a  majority  in  the  line  of  the  army,  and  conse- 
quently, as  he  wrote, "  above  that  business."!  Here  he  fell  in 
with  General  Arnold,  on  the  road  to  Boston;  who,  upon  be- 
ing made  acquainted  of  the  failure  of  the  government  to  fur- 
nish funds  for  enlistment,  offered  the  loan  of  one  thousand 
pounds;  and  sent  to  Colonel  Lamb  an  order  on  his  sister 
Hannah,  who  had  taken  charge  of  his  family  after  the  death 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  153 

of  his  wife.  This  was  accepted,  and  that  excellent  and  pa- 
triotic woman,  advanced  with  alacrity,  the  money,  which 
was  to  be  so  worthily  expended.* 

At  this  time,  he  received  a  letter  from  Lieut-Colonel  Paul 
Revere,  one  of  his  old  and  valued  associates  of  1765  and 
1774,  who  had  been  the  confidential  messenger  from  the 
Boston  Committees  to  their  friends  abroad;  in  which  he 
mentions  others  of  the  fraternity  in  the  following  terms: 
"  Pray  tell  good  Mr.  Holt,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  procure 
him  a  journeyman.  Friend  Sears  is  here,  a  very  merchant; 
in  short,  I  find  but  few  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  the  army."* 

After  Oswald's  return  from  the  eastward,  Colonel  Lamb, 
on  the  7th  April,  joined  his  family  at  Southington,  leaving 
the  affairs  of  the  regiment  to  his  lieutenant.  The  filling  of 
this,  was  not  so  speedily  accomplished  as  he  had  expected. 
For  three  companies,  which  had  been  enlisted  in  Massachu- 
setts and  Rhode  Island,  by  Major  Ebenezer  Stevens,  were  at 
first  considered  as  belonging  to  him;f  and  it  was  not  until 
after  the  march  of  that  officer  to  Ticonderoga,  at  the  head  of 
these  men,  that  he  was  undeceived  on  that  subject. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


20 


154  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XL 

Tryon's  first  Invasion  of  Connecticut. — Lands  at  Cedar  Point. — Burns 
l)anbury. — Retreat. — Death  ofWooster. — Arnold  at  Ridgefield. — At 
Saugatuck  River. — Battle  at  Ridgefield  and  Compo. — Lamb  at  Compo, 
— Attempt  to  Storm  Field  Pieces. — Wounded. — Hospital. — Fortitude 
of  Travis,  a  young  Militia  Officer. — 1777. 

The  removal  from  Stratford  to  Southington,  was  fortunate 
for  the  family  of  Colonel  Lamb,  as  they  escaped  the  dangers 
of  Tryon's  invasion. 

For  several  days,  the  armament  which  he  commanded, 
was  seen  in  the  Sound,  and  the  inhabitants  of  every  accessi- 
ble point  supposed  themselve  to  be  the  objects  of  attack.  At 
length,  with  a  heavy  force  of  ships,  and  two  thousand  men, 
the  ex-governor  of  New  York,  who  had  accepted  the  com- 
mission of  Major  General  of  Provincials,  reached  Cedar 
Point,  four  or  five  miles  eastward  of  Norwalk  on  the  25th 
April,  and  debarking  his  forces  on  the  neighboring  beach, 
he  prepared  to  march  for  Danbury,  a  distance  of  twenty-three 
miles. 

One  of  the  ships  of  war,  in  coming  into  the  bay,  struck  on 
a  ledge  of  rocks  oif  Raymond's  Point.  The  pilot  on  board 
was  a  refugee  tory,  and  the  commander  of  the  ship  was  about 
to  order  him  hanged  at  the  yard  arm;  but  as  he  had  the  good 
luck  to  show  from  the  charts  on  board,  that  such  a  reef  was 
not  laid  down  on  any  of  them,  and  that  it  was  till  then  un- 
known, he  was  let  off.  He  had,  however,  the  infamous  dis- 
tinction of  giving  a  name  to  the  place,  which  is  called  Tory 
Reef,  to  this  day. 

As  the  troops  were  debarking,  a  crowd  was  discovered 
about  a  house  near  the  line  of  march  which  they  intended  to 
adopt,  and  several  cannon  shot  were  directed  to  that  point, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  155 

one  of  which  striking  the  house,*  the  people  near  it  dis- 
persed.    Some  few  scattering  shots  were  fired  at  the  inva- 

*  This  house,  which  was  made  a  temporary  hospital  after  the  retreat  of 
the  British,  was  situated  on  what  was  long  known  as  the  Hazard  farm; 
some  years  since  the  property  of  Judge  John  Q.  Wilson,  late  of  Fairfield 
county,  Connecticut;  whose  father  attended  the  wounded,  as  surgeon, 
after  the  retreat  of  the  British.  It  was  in  early  youth,  the  residence  of 
the  Hon.  James  Kent,  who  has  so  worthily  filled  the  highest  judicial  of" 
fices  of  the  state.  A  man,  who  for  his  great  talents,  moral  worth,  and  un- 
sullied honor,  is  justly  the  pride,  not  only  of  his  native  state,  but  that  of 
his  adoption. 

I  am  highly  indebted  to  Judge  Wilson  for  many  details,  and  for  a  dia- 
gram of  the  battle  fields,  which  enable  me  to  correct  the  published  ac- 
counts. In  addition,  he  has  kindly  furnished  me  an  anecdote  of  Judge 
Kent,  which  is  worthy  of  commemoration,  and  which  can  not  be  better 
done,  than  by  giving  it  in  Judge  Wilson's  own  language: 

"  His  (the  Chancellor's)  early  recollections  rested  on  the  farm,  and  its 
vicinity;  and  he  often  spoke  of  them,  when  visiting  at  our  house.  In 
1832,  during  the  cholera  season,  in  company  with  Mrs.  Kent,  he  came 
over  from  Stratford,  where  they  were  staying,  to  pay  us  a  visit;  while 
sitting  on  the  front  piazza,  with  the  beach  in  full  view,  among  a  variety 
of  remembrances,  he  spoke  of  the  landing  of  the  British,  and  of  the  man 
being  killed  by  a  musket  ball,  fired  from  the  lot  bounded  by  the  beach ;  a 
distance  of  three-quarters  of  a  mile;  and  he  seemed  surprised,  when  told 
that  the  post  behind  which  the  man  lay,  was  still  standing,  with  the  bal 
hole  in  it,  which  was  pointed  out  to  him,  across  the  creek. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  now  I  will  tell  you  of  another  incident,  which  you 
never  heard  of.  (Great  as  he  was  in  great  affairs,  he  never  lost  in  con- 
versation, the  arch  simplicity,  and  cheerfulness  of  youth.)  My  mother 
sent  me  up  stairs,  in  the  old  house,  that  then  stood  over  yonder  by  the 
gate,  for  a  gun,  and  bayonet,  that  was  in  the  back  room  near  the  chim- 
ney. They  built  all  the  chimneys  in  those  days  of  stone,  in  the  centre  of 
the  house.  While  I  was  in  search  of  the  gun,  there  came  a  cannon  ball, 
from  the  direction  of  the  beach,  in  at  the  south  side  of  the  house,  between 
the  windows  of  the  second  story;  it  passed  through  the  front  room,  and 
entered  the  chimney,  directly  opposite  to  the  spot  on  which  I  stood.  I 
believe  my  mother  was  the  most  frightened  of  the  two,  when  she  called 
me  down,  and  we  all  retreated.  I  never  applied  for  a  pension  for  this, 
my  revolutionary  service;  but  /  have  heard  the  crash  of  a  cannon  ball,  and 
the  world,  may  be,  is  indebted  to  that  old  chimney  for  Kent's  Commen- 
taries." 

This  occurrence  of  the  ball,  had  been  told  me  by  an  old  man  named 
Disbrow,  who  was  present  at  the  time;  but  this  was  the  first  that  I  had 


y 


156  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

ders,  by  those  who  were  assembled,  which  being  returned, 
as  the  column  of  the  enemy  advanced,  a  musket  ball,  passing 

heard  of  the  escape  of  the  embryo  Chancellor.  When  the  old  house  was 
taken  down,  in  1822,  I  requested  Mr.  Disbrow,  whose  son  was  in  my  em- 
ploy, to  look  for  the  ball,  and  the  workmen  found  it  buried  deep  in  the 
stonework  of  the  chimney,  a  few  feet  above  the  chamber  floor.  It  was  a 
nine  pound  shot,  fired  probably  u  en  ricochet'''';  as  it  entered  the  chimney 
higher  from  the  floor,  than  where  it  came  in  at  the  side  of  the  house. 

When  this  ball  was  shown  to  the  Chancellor,  he  was  deeply  moved. 
It  seemed  to  awaken  an  impulse  of  feeling,  connected  with  the  memory 
of  his  mother,  that  made  him  sad.  I  intended  to  have  had  it  placed  in 
his  carriage  at.  his  departure ;  but  his  being  hurried  away,  by  the  appear- 
ance of  a  rising  thunder  storm,  it  was  forgotten.  This  was  the  last  visit 
to  my  knowledge,  that  this  great,  and  good  man,  ever  made  to  the  scenes 
of  his  childhood.  In  their  details.  I  have  perhaps  been  more  particular 
than  would  seem  to  be  necessary  •,  but  now,  when  we  have  so  recently 
been  informed,  that  his  spirit  has  ascended  to  a  world,  the  happiness  of 
which,  he  has  ever  been  so  signally  fitted  to  enjoy;  every  incident  of  his 
glorious  and  useful  life,  however  minute,  becomes  interesting;  and  as 
every  thing  resting  on  memory  is  fading  into  forgetfulness,  I  supposed  it 
might  not  be  inappropriate  to  enable  you  to  perpetuate  that  which  other- 
wise would  soon  be  entirely  lost. 

The  name  of  James  Kent,  requires  no  laurels  to  adorn  it.  His  fame 
will  be  the  rich  inheritance  of  a  late  posperity,  and  future  ages  will  not 
fail  to  cherish  his  memory. 

I  am,  writh  high  esteem, 

Your  friend,  and  servant, 

Albany,  Dec'r  30,  1847.  John  Q.  Wilson. 

Another  great  man  had  some  share  in  the  dangers  of  Compo;  this  was 
the  late  Gov.  Wolcott,  of  Connecticut,  formerly  Secretary  of  the  Trea- 
sury, who,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  was  in  the  battle,  when  his  file  leader 
was  shot  through  the  head.  This  incident  is  mentioned  in  the  excellent 
work,  compiled  by  his  grandson,  George  Gibbs,  Esq.,  from  the  Wolcott 
papers.  "  In  April,  1777,  his  studies  were  broken  in  upon,  by  a  call  to  a 
less  peaceful  scene  than  the  groves  of  Yale.  He  had  gone  to  Litchfield, 
on  a  visit  to  his  mother,  his  father  being  absent  attending  Congress,  when 
the  news  arrived,  that  a  large  body  of  the  British,  under  Tryon,  had 
landed,  and  marched  to  Danbury,  to  destroy  the  continental  stores. 
Awakened  at  midnight  by  the  summons  to  repair  to  the  rendezvous  of  the 
militia;  he  armed  himself;  and  his  mother,  furnishing  his  knapsack  with 
provisions,  and  a  blanket,  hastened  his  departure,  and  dismissed  him  with 
the  charge  "  to  conduct  like  a  good  soldier." — Administrations  of  Wash- 
ington, and  Adams,  from  the  Wolcott  papers,  by  George  Gibbs. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  157 

through  a  post,  behind  which  one  of  the  Americans  was  sta- 
tioned, entered  his  head  and  killed  him  on  the  spot. 

No  serious  obstacles  to  the  march  could  have  been  made 
by  the  few  who  were  collected;  but  still  unwilling  to  dis- 
perse without  some  show  of  resistance,  they  took  post  behind 
a  stone  fence,  where  the  Compo  road,  passing  west  of  the 
hill,  entered  the  Boston  road.  Here,  as  the  advance  was 
about  to  debouche  into  the  road,  a  volley  was  fired,  which 
wounded  several  of  the  British,  but  the  column  pressing  for- 
ward, the  party  was  scattered,  and  the  enemy  marched  with- 
out further  molestation  to  Danbury.  This  place  they  reached 
at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  26th  of  April.* 

A  handful  of  Continentals,  then  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Cook,  finding  resistance  useless,  retreated,  carrying 
away  with  them  such  of  the  stores,  as  the  suddenness  of  the 
attack  enabled  them  to  secure.  The  enemy  lost  no  time  in 
comrrencing  the  work  of  destruction.  The  houses,  stores 
and  churches  were  fired;  and  the  provisions  and  incombusti- 
ble munitions  wasted,  and  emptied  into  the  streets.  On  the 
26th,  the  work  of  devastation  was  soon  effected,  and  the  de- 
stroyers made  preparations  for  a  return  to  their  ships  next 
morning. 

Meanwhile  the  country  was  aroused,  and  Fairfield  and 
the  adjoining  counties  poured  forth  their  minute  men.  Five 
hundred  of  these,  under  the  command  of  General  Silliman  of  S 
the  militia,  commenced  pursuit,  and  arrived  at  Reading,  eight 
miles  from  Danbury,  where  he  was  joined  by  Generals 
Wooster  and  Arnold,  who  left  New  Haven  immediately  on 
receiving  news  of  the  invasion.  An  hundred  men  had 
gathered  and  joined  them  on  the  route;  and  previous  to  their 
departure,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Oswald  of  Lamb's  regiment, 
with  such  of  the  men  of  that  regiment  as  had  been  recruited, 
with  three  field  pieces,  was  ordered  to  march  with  all  expe- 
dition to  the  scene  of  action.f 

*  Barber's  Pic.  His.  Conn.  f  Idem. 


158  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

The  whole  force  assembled  at  Reading,  was  six  hundred 
men;  these,  headed  by  Wooster,  took  up  the  march  for 
Danbury,  but  a  heavy  rain  setting  in,  which  continued  all 
the  afternoon,  their  progress  was  retarded,  and  they  did  not 
reach  Bethel,  two  miles  from  the  enemy,  until  eleven  o'clock 
at  night,  the  men  much  fatigued  and  their  muskets  rendered 
unserviceable  by  the  wet.  A  halt  was  as  necessary  as  pru- 
dent, and  preparations  were  made  to  put  their  arms  in  a  ser- 
viceable condition,  and  to  refresh  the  men.  At  the  dawn  of 
day,  Wooster  detatched  Arnold  with  four  hundred  men,  to 
cross  the  country  and  take  post  at  Ridgefield,  a  place  which 
the  enemy  must  necessarily  traverse  in  their  retreat,  while  he 
with  the  residue  of  his  men,  should  attack  the  flank  and  rear 
of  the  retiring  columns.* 

The  British  began  their  retreat  at  nine  in  the  morning 
of  the  27th,  and  as  soon  as  the  rear- guard  had  begun  to 
pass  his  position,  which  was  upon  their  left  flank,  Wooster 
with  his  handful  of  men,  not  a  tenth  part  of  the  force  he  was 
assailing,  began  the  attack  with  great  spirit  and  effect.  The 
action  was  hotly  sustained  for  some  time,  when  the  veteran 
leader,  upwards  of  seventy  years  old,  who  well  maintained 
the  reputation  he  had  gained  in  former  campaigns,  was 
struck  by  a  musket  ball  in  the  groin,  and  mortally  wounded. 
The  loss  of  their  General,  together  with  the  appalling  dis- 
parity of  force,  dispirited  his  men,  and  they  retreated  in 
disorder.f 

"  The  check  which  this  movement  had  given  to  the  retreat 
of  the  invaders,  enabled  Arnold,  whose  force  was  now  in- 
creased to  five  hundred,  to  reach  his  post  and  choose  a  favor- 
able position  at  Ridgefield,  on  the  crown  of  an  eminence  at 
the  north  end  of  the  town.  A  house  protected  his  right, 
while  his  left  was  covered  by  the  high  bank  of  the  road. 
From  these  two  points,  a  breastwork  was  thrown  up  for  de- 
fence.    At  eleven  o'clock  the  British  column  was  seen  ad- 

*  Barber.  f  Idem.  $  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  159 

vancing  with  artillery  in  front  and  rear,  and  strong  parties 
on  each  flank.  The  firing  began  from  the  field  pieces  of  the 
enemy,  which,  when  within  striking  distance,  was  followed 
up  with  a  heavy  discharge  of  musketry.J  These  were  re- 
turned by  the  Provincials  with  spirit  and  alacrity.  The  ac- 
tion was  sustained  with  great  intrepidity  for  more  than  an 
hour,  and  until  their  temporary  barrier  was  carried  by  the 
enemy,  when  a  retreat  was  ordered.  The  rear  guard,  with 
Arnold  at  the  head,  received  a  volley  of  musketry  when 
within  a  few  yards,  which  did  great  execution.  The  Gene- 
ral's horse  was  shot  under  him,  which  falling  on  his  knees, 
the  rider  still  kept  the  saddle,  when,  as  a  soldier  was  ad- 
vancing to  dispatch  him  with  the  bayonet,  he  drew  a  pistol 
from  his  holster  and  shot  him  dead. 

Joining  his  retreating  forces,  and  finding  farther  resistance 
unavailing;  Arnold  resolved  to  retire  down  the  Norwalk  road, 
and  to  make  a  stand  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Norwalk  river, 
two  miles  above  the  bridge,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy,  and  to  cut  off  his  retreat  by  Norwalk;  and  if  he 
should  endeavor  to  regain  his  shipping  by  the  way  he  had 
advanced,  to  intercept  him  by  crossing  the  Saugatuck  bridge 
and  keep  him  from  retreat  by  the  Compo  road.  The  enemy 
had  suffered  much  in  their  harrassed  retreat,  and  they  en- 
camped for  the  night,  entrenching  themselves  on  a  strong 
position  at  Ridgefield.f 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  Oswald,  with  part  of  two 
companies  of  Lamb's  regiment  and  three  field  pieces,  had 
joined  Arnold  on  the  Norwalk.  Another  gun,  with  a  com- 
pany from  Fairfield  arriving,  together  with  some  volunteers, 
the  congregated  forces  amounted  to  five  hundred  men.  Col. 
Huntington  of  the  Continental  army,  with  the  troops  which 
had  been  stationed  at  Danbury,  and  the  scattered  forces  of 
Wooster,  with  other  militia  who  had  joined  him,  was  hang- 
ing on  the  rear  of  the  British  column,  and  sent  to  Arnold  for 

*  Barber.  t  Traditional  history. 


160  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

advice  and  assistance.  General  Silliman  was  accordingly 
detached,  with  orders  to  fall  upon  the  rear  as  soon  as  the 
enemy  should  be  in  motion.  These  orders  were  anticipated, 
for  before  Silliman  could  join,  and  as  soon  as  the  march  was 
begun  on  the  next  day,  Huntington  commenced  a  brisk  at- 
tack* As  the  enemy's  columns  came  in  sight  of  Arnold's 
position,  apprehending  it  too  formidable  for  attack,  they 
wheeled  to  the  left  and  made  for  Saugatuck  river,  at  a 
point  at  which  it  was  fordable;  and  as  Arnold,  facing  about, 
was  making  for  the  bridge  over  that  river,  for  the  purpose 
of  cutting  off  the  retreat,  the  British  quickened  their  march 
in  order  to  cross  the  road  leading  to  the  passage ;  before  their 
retreat  could  be  intercepted-! 

Arnold  now  advanced  with  all  expedition  to  cross  the 
bridge,  and  fall  upon  the  right  flank  of  the  retreating  column. 
This  design  was  defeated  by  the  extraordinary  celerity  of  the 
enemy,  who  quickened  their  pace  to  a  brisk  trot,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  passing  the  road,  before  the  Provincials  could  defile 
on  the  bridge,  and  form  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  The 
corps  under  Silliman  and  Huntington  now  joined,  the  whole 
were  formed  in  two  columns,  with  two  field  pieces  on  each 
flank,  and  they  pushed  with  spirit  to  attack  the  enemy's 
rear.J 

At  this  juncture,  Colonel  Lamb  arrived  on  the  ground. 
As  soon  as  news  of  the  invasion  was  scattered  abroad,  the 
militia  began  to  assemble  and  to  march  to  the  point  of  dan- 
ger. Colonel  Hugh  Hughes  of  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment, then  visiting  his  family  in  Connecticut,  on  furlough; 
happened  to  be  in  New  Haven,  and  ascertaining  that  Oswald 
had  marched  the  day  before,  posted  to  Southington  with  the 
news,  well  knowing  that  the  commander  of  the  artillery 
would  not  willingly  be  absent  from  the  field,  when  his  men 
were  likely  to  be  engaged.  As  he  was  approaching  the 
house  of  the  Colonel,  he  perceived  his  servant  grooming  his 

*  Barber.  t  Idem.  t  Idem. 


JMuA/'/\r. 


Litk.of  "SH-Tease.  ALbany. 


-rz-6  M  ^      V  %  V"Xf?afr/rXr  WwL 

s    iisp#ji#i 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  161 

horses,  and  knowing  that  they  would  soon  be  in  requisition, 
he  instructed  the  man  to  prepare  them  for  the  march  with  all 
dispatch.  Arriving,  he  made  known  his  intelligence,  and  as 
Lamb  was  hastening  to  the  door  to  order  his  horses  he  was 
told  that  his  wishes  had  been  anticipated,  and  every  thing  in 
a  state  of  preparation.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  in  the 
saddle,  and  spurring  with  all  haste  to  the  scene  of  action. 

The  distance  was  nearly  sixty  miles,  and  some  delay  occur- 
ring, they  did  not  reach  the  ground  until  the  attack  on  the 
second  day  was  begun.  Nearly  at  the  same  time,  about  two 
hundred  volunteers  had  reached  the  field.  Leaving  to  Oswald 
the  charge  of  the  artillery,  Colonel  Lamb  assumed  the  com- 
mand of  this  detachment,  who  readily  put  themselves  under 
his  orders,  and  joined  the  battle  with  great  gallantry.  Col. 
Hughes  in  the  meantime,  seeking  Arnold,  volunteered  his 
services  as  aid,  and  continued  with  him  until  the  fight  was  over. 

The  enemy,  hard  pressed  in  the  retreat,  pushed  for  Compo 
Hill,  and  having  gained  that  favorable  position  for  defence, 
they  brought  their  artillery  to  the  front,  and  made  a  stand; 
despatching  messengers  for  a  reinforcement  from  the  fleet. 
Large  bodies  of  sailors  and  marines  were  put  in  motion  for 
the  shore,  and  by  means  of  these  reinforcements,  the  harrassed 
troops  were  enabled  to  embark;  while  with  fresh  men,  the 
British  made  good  their  position,  notwithstanding  every 
effort  to  dislodge  them.* 

Four  field  pieces  on  the  enemy's  right,  within  an  enclosure 
of  stone-fence,  most  exceedingly  annoyed  the  Provincials  in 
that  part  where  Lamb  was  engaged.  Leaping  from  his  horse, 
he  proposed  to  the  volunteers  to  carry  them  by  storm.  They 
readily  assented,  and  advanced  very  bravely,  receiving  un- 
terrified  the  grape-shot  which  was  plentifully  showered 
around  them.  Lamb  encouraged  them  onward,  assuring 
them  that  they  would  soon  be  in  possession  of  the  pieces,  and 
they  advanced  towards  the  fence  with  great  resolution.  On 
the  point  of  scaling  the  wall,  and  when  their  leader,  astride 

^Barber's  His.  Conn. 

21 


162  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  top,  was  waving  them  on  with  his  sword,  a  grape-shot 
struck  him  obliquely,  and  passing  the  backbone,  tore  the 
flesh  on  the  left  side,  and  cast  him  on  the  ground;  fortunately 
upon  the  side  of  the  fence  least  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  which  was  kept  up  with  unabated  fury.  The  men 
who  had  followed  with  so  much  intrepidity,  now  broke  their 
ranks  and  fled  in  confusion  * 

For  some  time,  Col.  Lamb  was  stunned  and  incapable  of 
moving;  but  recovering,  he  regained  his  legs,  and  slowly, 
from  necessity,  began  a  retreat.  This  he  did,  under  a  shower 
of  musketry  from  several  platoons  who  advanced  towards  the 
fence,  and  delivered  their  fire* with  hearty  good  will;  but  he 
reached  the  American  lines  without  further  injury.  This 
unsuccessful  attack  terminated  the  battle;  and  the  British 
were  left  to  pursue  their  retreat.  The  fluctuations  of  the 
fight,  had  brought  Arnold's  corps  near  the  spot  where  this 
charge  was  made;  when  Colonel  Hughes,  discovered  a  man 
mounted  on  the  horse  of  his  friend  and  riding  from  the  field. 
Him  he  instantly  dismounted  and  questioned  with  regard  to 
the  owner  of  the  horse.  The  fugitive  disclosed  the  issue  of 
the  attack  on  the  guns,  and  the  probable  fate  of  Lamb,  whom 
he  had  seen  fall,  and  pointed  towards  the  spot.  The  wounded 
colonel  was  found  in  the  crowd,  and  by  the  assistance  of 
Hughes,  he  gained  the  Hazard  house  near  by,  which  was 
made  a  hospital  for  the  occasion. 

The  British  were  hotly  pressed  in  this  retreat  by  the  small 
force  of  the  Provincials,  not  at  any  time  exceeding  twelve 
hundred  men;  and  had  they  not  been  able  to  secure  so  im- 
pregnable a  position  as  Campo  Hill  to  cover  their  reembarka- 
tion,  their  loss  would  have  been  more  severe.  They  landed 
with  sixty  rounds  to  each  man,  and  very  little  ammunition 
was  expended  in  the  advance,  but  on  their  arrival  at  the 
boats  every  cartouch-box  was  exhausted.  General  Tryon 
magnified  the  success  of  the  expedition,  and  in  his  report 
returned  Colonel  Lamb  as  killed.f     Perhaps  "  the  wish  was 

*  Family  tradition.  fAlmon's  Remembrancer. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  163 

father  to  the  thought."  Wooster,  whose  advance  upon  New 
York,  with  the  Connecticut  troops,  had  been  one  of  the  causes 
of  his  hasty  abdication,  had  fallen;  and  had  Lamb,  the  most 
daring  agitator  and  disturber  of  the  Colonial  government, 
shared  the  same  destiny,  the  ci-devant  Governor,  might  have 
considered  the  manifestations  of  fate  much  on  his  side. 

As  Colonel  Lamb  was  brought  into  the  hospital,  the  sur- 
geon was  preparing  to  operate  upon  a  young  militia  officer, 
whose  hand  and  wrist  were  badly  lacerated  by  a  musket 
shot.  As  he  was  baring  his  arm  for  the  occasion,  a  British 
soldier,  shot  through  the  body,  was  brought  into  the  apart- 
ment. Seeing  the  desperate  situation  of  the  wounded  man, 
who  appeared  in  great  agony,  the  youth,  pointing  to  the 
sufferer,  exclaimed  to  the  surgeon — That  poor  fellow  wants 
your  services  more  than  I  do;  and  proceeded  to  replace  the 
handkerchief,  with  which  he  had  stanched  the  blood  of  his 
crippled  limb.  He  waited  while  the  surgeon  was  examining 
the  soldier,  who  was  mortally  wounded,  and  died  in  a  few 
minutes;  and  then  removing  the  bandage  from  his  mangled 
arm,  submitted  to  the  amputation.* 

The  wound  of  Colonel  Lamb  was  more  painful  than  dan- 
gerous; but  he  narrowly  escaped  death.  Owing  to  a  re- 
markable inward  curvature  of  the  spine,  the  bone  escaped 
fracture;  and  the  vital  parts  being  protected  by  the  flesh  on 
both  sides  of  the  vertebrae,  were  uninjured,  yet  he  was  placed 
hors  de  combat  for  some  weeks  afterwards.  After  the  wound 
was  dressed,  he  was  taken  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Simpson, 
temporarily  resident  of  Norwalk,  and  afterwards  to  Colonel 
Deming's,  at  Fairfield.  While  there,  he  received  an  order 
from  General  Parsons  to  repair  to  New  Haven,  and  take  the 
command  of  that  place,  which  had  been,  in  the  absence  of 
General  Arnold,  confided  to  Lieut.-Colonel  Oswald.  As  the 
letter  is  a  pattern  of  military  courtesy,  it  is  inserted  in  full. 

*  The  name  of  this  resolute  and  noble  fellow,  was  Jacob  Travis.  He 
was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  militia,  and  received  a  pension  from  govern- 
ment.— Family  tradition. 


164  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Hartford,  14th  May,  1777. 
Sir:  You  repair  to  New  Haven  as  soon  as  you  can,  and 
take  command  of  the  Continental  battalions,  or  detachments 
which  are,  or  shall  arrive  there,  until  some  superior  officer 
shall  come  in  to  command.  You  will,  as  soon  as  possible 
after  you  arrive  at  New  Haven,  order  such  of  the- troops  as 
have  had  the  small  pox,  to  march  to  Peekskill,  under  the 
command  of  such  officers  as  you  shall  order;  the  remaining 
parts  are  to  be  kept  diligently  to  exercise  and  duty.  All 
detachments  coming  in  without  arms,  are  to  be  supplied. 
Your  humble  servt. 

Sam'l.  H.  Parsons,  B.  Gen'L* 

This  order  was  obeyed  as  soon  as  the  removal  of  Colonel 
Lamb  was  considered  prudent,  and  on  the  18th  May,  he  took 
command  at  New  Haven,  t 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y,  His   Soc.  tldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  165 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Recruiting. — Mott  at  Albany. — Gen.  Gates. — Meigs's  Expedition. — Put- 
nam's Design  on  Long  Island. — Preparations  for  Descent. — Orders  to 
Peekskill. — Gates's  Tntrigue. — Machinations  against  Schuyler  and  St. 
Clair. — Rumors  in  Camp. — Putnam's  Manners  repulsive. — Lamb  di- 
rected to  Fort  Montgomery. — Applies  for  Active  Command  — Bur- 
goyne's  Advance. — Camp  Rumors. — Arnold. — Movements  of  Sir  H. 
Clinton. — Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton. — Storm. — Defence. — Garri- 
soncut  their  Way  through. — Geo.  Clinton. — James  Clinton. — Lamb. 
— Major  Lush  a  Prisoner. — Scottish  Volunteer. — Mr.  Hamilton's  Opi- 
nion of  Defence. — Marshall's. — Court  of  Enquiry. 

Meanwhile,  the  officers  which  he  had  appointed  were  se- 
dulously engaged  in  recruiting;  and  agreeably  to  orders,  as 
each  company  was  filled,  they  were  marched  to  Head  Quar- 
ters. Captain  Mott,  who  was  recruiting  at  Albany,  met 
with  many  difficulties  from  General  Gates,  who  about  that 
time  had  reached  Albany,  in  command  of  the  northern  army; 
and  had  already  began  to  exhibit  the  importance  which  the 
success  of  his  manoeuvres  had  inspired.  The  intrigue  against 
Washington  was  in  full  operation,  and  Gates,  aware  of  the 
predilections  of  many  of  the  officers  who  had  served  in  the 
Canadian  campaign,  for  Arnold,  and  consequently  were  fast 
friends  of  Washington,  as  the  supporter  of  their  favorite 
General;  took  much  pains  to  chafe  the  irritability  of  Captain 
Mott,  who  was  one  of  these,  by  ordering  him  on  service  to 
the  north;  thereby  impeding  the  filling  of  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  Lamb,  who  he  well  knew  was  inimical  to  his  pre- 
tensions; and  whose  companies  were  destined  for  the  camp 
at  Head  Quarters.  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Capt.  Mott,  will  exhibit  the  manner  of  the  General,  when 
he  had  no  prospect  of  obtaining  proselytes  to  his  scheme; 
although  his  mode  of  address  was  very  different,  to  those 
whose  support  he  had  hopes  of  gaining. 

Letter  dated  Albany,  23d  April,  1777:  "  The  day  before 
yesterday,   General  Gates,  who  arrived  here  a  week  since, 


166  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

sent  for  me  and  ordered  me  to  be  ready  to  march  for  Tie 
(Ticonderoga)  the  next  day,  as  a  guard  for  the  twenty  tons 
of  powder,  and  to  take  all  my  officers  with  me.  I  asked  him 
if  it  was  his  intention  that  we  were  to  stay  at  Tie.  Yes, 
says  he;  where  the  h— 11  would  you  stay?  I  told  him  that  I 
did  not  pretend  to  have  any  choice.  Where,  says  he,  did 
you  expect  to  go?  I  told  him  I  expected  to  have  joined  our 
own  regiment  in  New  Jersey,  and  expected  orders  for  that 
purpose.  Why,  says  he,  it  seems  to  me  that  you  want  to  get 
as  far  out  of  the  way  as  possible.  I  answered,  You  are  mis- 
taken sir;  my  inclination  has  always  been  to  go  where  I  am 
ordered.  Well,  says  he,  you  have  your  orders.  He  insulted 
me  most  grossly. 

"  Yesterday,  when  I  waited  upon  him  for  an  order  for  arms, 
he  was  polite  enough;  and  signified  something  like  an  inten- 
tion of  my  returning,  when  I  had  delivered  the  powder. 

"  What  an  absurd  step  is  this,  to  send  four  officers  and 
fourteen  men  to  Tie,  where  they  can  not  recruit;  where  they 
can  be  of  no  service;  where  they  are  not  wanted.  To  sepa- 
rate them  two  or  three  hundred  miles  from  their  regiment, 
by  which  means  they  will  be  deprived  of  their  clothes,  and 
indeed  of  every  thing.  For  God's  sake,  extricate  me  out  of 
this  horrid  situation,  if  possible."* 

An  expedition  was  ordered  by  General  Parsons,  with  part 
of  his  brigade,  against  Sag  Harbor,  on  Long  Island,  which 
was  committed  to  the  care  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Meigs,  the  fellow 
prisoner  of  Colonel  Lamb,  at  Quebec.  This  was  executed 
on  the  23d  May,  with  great  brilliancy  and  success;!  and  Ge- 
neral Putnam,  encouraged  by  the  fortunate  issue  of  this  en- 
terprise, resolved  upon  one  more  extensive  in  its  operation. 
To  mask  this  design,  orders  were  given,  on  the  1st  June,  to 
the  commanders  of  the  several  stations,  to  dispatch  all  their 
troops  to  Peekskill,  whatever  might  be  the  state  of  their 
equipments;  and  great  care  was  taken  to  permit  these  orders 
to  get  into  the  public  papers.J 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tMarshall.  JLamb  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  1  67 

Their  meaning  was  explained,  and  the  secret  intentions 
of  the  expedition  were  disclosed  to  Colonel  Lamb.  The 
design  was  to  concentrate  all  the  troops  in  that  quarter  at 
New  Haven,  and  Fairfield,  and  make  a  descent  on  Long  Is- 
land, as  a  retaliatory  measure  to  the  expedition  which  had 
made  such  ravages  at  Danbury.*  The  pressing  orders  to 
march  for  Peekskill,  on  the  11th  June,  countermanded  to 
White  Plains;  and  the  strict  injunctions  to  provide  whale 
boats,  were  fully  understood;  and  Colonel  Lamb  remained  at 
his  post,  notwithstanding  the  invitation  of  General  Knox  to 
head  quarters,  on  business  of  importance;  making  every  pre- 
paration for  the  intended  descent;  until  the  movements  of 
Sir  William  Howe  in  the  Jerseys,  began  to  indicate  the  ap- 
proach of  a  general  battle;  when  the  troops  were  ordered  in 
earnest  to  Peekskill.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Oswald  with  part 
of  the  regiment  was  already  there,  and  Colonel  Lamb  pre- 
pared to  follow  with  the  residue,  as  speedily  as  possible. 

The  secret  intrigue  of  Gates  was  prosecuted  with  great 
vigor,  and  no  effort  was  spared  to  alarm  the  people  of  this 
and  the  eastern  states;  and  to  poison  their  minds  by  the 
most  preposterous  fabrications.  Rumors  as  early  as  16th 
June,  had  reached  the  camp,  and  were  circulated  from  Fish- 
kill,  of  the  defection  and  desertion  of  the  northern  generals,! 
and  of  the  dispersion  of  our  forces  on  the  frontier.  These 
were  so  confidently  and  extensively  circulated,  that  when 
that  excellent  but  unfortunate  general,  St.  Clair,  nearly  a 
month  afterwards,  was  forced  by  an  overwhelming  force 
from  his  untenable  positions  on  Lake  Champlain;  the  event 
was  considered  as  confirmation  of  the  absurd  charge  of 
treachery  which  had  been  previously  brought  against  him. 

General  Putnam,  who  commanded  in  the  Highlands,  was 
beyond  doubt  of  the  Gates  faction;  and  if  he  was  not  ori- 
ginally inclined  to  hostility  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  the 
influence  of  Col.  Burr,  his  aid,  whose  inveteracy  against 
Washington,  was  increased  by  some  coldness  or  slight,  which 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Idem. 


168  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

had  driven  him  from  the  military  family  at  head  quarters, 
would  have  brought  him  over  to  the  "  monster  faction."  The 
rudeness  of  General  Putnam's  manners  were  repulsive  to  the 
feelings  of  many  of  his  officers,*  and  as  this  was  exhibited 
in  a  very  aggravated  degree,  to  those  who  were  devoted  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  their  situation  was  rendered  most 
uncomfortable.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Oswald  was  made  to 
feel  this  in  a  very  peculiar  manner,  and  was  provoked  to  the 
degree  of  resigning  his  commission.  His  confidential  letters 
to  Colonel  Lamb,  on  the  subject,  speak  in  no  reverential 
or  affectionate  terms  of  the  old  "  bear  hunter"  in  command.f 
On  Colonel  Lamb's  arrival  some  days  after,  Oswald  was  in- 
duced to  forego  his  purposed  resignation,  and  remain  at 
Peekskill ;  while  Lamb,  was  on  the  4th  July,  directed  to  take 
the  command  at  Fort  Montgomery.;};  The  inactivity  of  a 
post  in  garrison,  while  the  grand  army  under  Washington 
were  on  the  alert  in  expectation  of  a  general  engagement, 
was  not  at  all  satisfactory,  to  a  person  as  eager  of  service  as 
Colonel  Lamb;  he  therefore  wrote  to  General  Knox,  and 
begged  for  more  energetic  employment  in  the  field.§  This 
request  was  not  complied  with;  but  hopes  were  given  him, 
of  some  future  disposition,  more  favorable  to  his  wishes. 

The  enemy  in  order  to  conceal  the  intended  operations  of 
Burgoyne,  at  the  north;  and  to  prevent  reinforcements  to 
Schuyler  from  the  main  army,  circulated  reports  of  the  with- 
drawal of  all  their  forces  from  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of 
concentrating  them  at  New  York;  and  news  had  reached  the 
cantonment  at  Fishkill,  that  leaving  three  hundred  only  on 
the  Champlain  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  whole  army  had 
arrived  and  debarked  on  Staten  Island.||  This  rumor,  was 
soon  afterwards  followed  by  another  much  nearer  the  truth ; 
which  was,  that  a  formidable  invasion  of  the  state  was  con- 
templated, on  its  northern  and  western  frontier. IT  While  Bur- 
goyne was  to  approach  by  the  Champlain  and  Hudson,  a 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         f  Idem.         J  Idem.         $  Idem. 
||  Idem.  ^[Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  169 

central  force  of  tories  and  Indians,  were  to  lay  waste  the 
settlements  on  the  Mohawk;  and  a  third  expedition,  headed 
by  the  Chief  Brant,  from  the  head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna 
and  Delaware,  were  to  cooperate,  and  form  a  junction  with 
the  other  two;  at  the  same  time  that  General  Clinton,  by  a 
simultaneous  movement  from  New  York,  was  to  force  the 
passes  of  the  Highlands,  and  concentrate  the  two  armies  at 
Albany.* 

These  rumors  occasioned  a  change  of  head  quarters;  for 
the  army  broke  up  from  Morristown,  and  marched  to  Ramapo, 
a  favorable  position  for  the  defence  of  the  North  river  forti- 
fications. They  had  scarcely  arrived  there,  when  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  British  general's  movement  to  the  Delaware, 
and  the  sailing  of  the  fleet,  apprised  Washington  of  his  de- 
sign on  Philadelphia.  Speedily  decamping,  the  army  was 
ordered  to  the  various  ferries  on  the  Delaware,  above  Tren- 
ton; and  the  general  himself,  crossing  at  Coryell's,  assem- 
bled his  army  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and  by  rapid 
marches  proceeded  to  Philadelphia. 

Ever  anxious  of  serving  his  friends,  and  justly  appreciat- 
ing the  services  of  those  daring  spirits  who  had  braved  peril 
in  the  dangerous  days  of  the  Stamp  Act;  Col.  Lamb  took 
much  pains  to  procure  the  advancement  of  Capt.  Mott,  who 
had  been  one  of  the  foremost  of  these,  and  who  had  done 
good  service  at  Quebec,  to  the  vacant  majority  of  his  regi- 
ment;! but  Gen.  Knox  could  not  be  induced  to  give  his  con- 
sent, having  a  preference  for  a  very  good  officer,  but  one  of 
disagreeable  manners,  and  temper.  Capt.  Mott,  who  had 
been  so  uncivilly  treated  at  Albany,  by  Gen.  Gates,  during 
his  temporary  command  there,  in  May,  was  now,  most  pro- 
bably from  the  same  cause  which  produced  that  animosity, 
exposed  to  much  vexation.  He  had  been  stationed  at  Fort 
Constitution,  in  command  of  that  post,J  and  in  charge  of  the 
laboratory  there.  From  this  station  an  attempt  was  made  to 
supersede  him,  by  the  substitution  in  his  stead,  of  an  eastern 

*  Marshall.  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  %  Idem. 

22 


170  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

officer,  of  a  lower  grade  in  rank,  and  service;  as  he  was  not 
naturally  very  passive  under  aggressions  of  that  sort,  he 
vehemently  opposed  the  injustice,  and  Col.  Lamb,  sustain- 
ing him  with  all  his  energy,  the  design  was  abandoned.* 

The  conspiracy  against  the  Commander-in-Chief  was  not 
idle;  nor  were  the  conspiritors  less  sparing  of  their  machi- 
nations and  calumnies  against  Gen.  Schuyler,  than  they  had 
been  against  Washington;  and  by  force  of  these,  Gates  was 
again  ordered  to  the  command  of  the  northern  army,  to  reap 
the  harvest  sown  by  the  indefatigable  efforts  of  Schuyler,  and 
by  the  self  sacrifice  of  his  gallant,  but  unfortunate  coadjutor, 
St.  Clair;  and  accompanied  by  Gov.  George  Clinton,  the 
newly  appointed  General,  on  the  15th  August,  proceeded  to 
Albany.f  Col.  Lamb  now  received  instructions  to  join  at 
head  quarters,  in  Bucks  county,  for  a  special  conference  with 
Gen.  Knox;!  but  news  of  the  movement  of  the  grand  army, 
from  that  place  to  Wilmington,  and  the  frequent  changes  of 
position,  before,  and  after  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  pre- 
vented him  from  obeying  the  order;  and  subsequent  opera- 
tions of  the  British  Commander  at  New  York,  rendered  it  in- 
expedient to  leave  his  post. 

The  friendship  begun  with  Arnold,  at  Quebec,  had  been 
strengthened  by  subsequent  associations,  and  conjoint  efforts 
in  the  public  service.  They  had  been  under  fire  together, 
recently  at  Compo,  and  the  bearing  of  both  on  that  day,  had 
not  tended  to  lessen  their  mutual  regard.  In  a  correspond- 
ence which  was  kept  up  between  them,  Col.  Lamb  expressed 
his  dissatisfaction  at  the  inactivity  of  garrison  duty.  He 
would  have  been  better  satisfied  in  sharing  the  dangers  of 
either  army,  and  would  gladly  have  been  with  his  old  Com- 
mander, in  active  service  in  the  field.  Arnold  had  been 
dispatched  by  Washington,  as  a  very  efficient  mean  of 
strengthening  the  northern  army;  and  on  his  arrival  from  his 
successful  expedition  to  Fort  Stanwix,  which  had  so  much 
contributed  to  the  gallant  defence  of  Gansevoort,  and  Willett, 
*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  171 

unsuspicious  of  the  vexations,  and  mortifications  which  were 
awaiting  him  at  the  camp  of  Gates,  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  Col.  Lamb  :* 

Half  Moon,  Sept.  5,  1777. 
Dear  Colonel : 

Your  favor  of  the  8th  July,  was  delivered  me  last  week, 
on  my  return  from  Fort  Schuyler.  A  hurry  of  business  has 
prevented  me  from  answering  it  before.  I  am  much  obliged 
to  you  for  the  concern  you  express  for  my  health  and  welfare; 
and  you  will  not  impute  my  silence  to  inattention  or  want  of 
friendship,  when  I  assure  you  I  have  wrote  you  twice  from 
Philadelphia,  and  once  since  my  arrival  in  this  quarter. 

I  am  convinced,  by  some  villainy  in  the  post  riders,  or  neg- 
ligence in  those  who  carry  letters;  one-half  of  those  directed 
to  me,  and  those  which  I  send,  never  come  to  hand.  I  have 
received  but  three  letters,  out  of  seven,  wrote  me  by  my  sister. 

I  am  sorry  to  find  you  are  in  a  place  that  is  not  agreeable 
to  you.  I  heartily  wish  your  reg't  with  us,  as  a  few  days,  in 
all  probability,  will  determine  the  fate  of  Gen.  Burgoyne's 
army,  or  that  of  ours.  We  have  six  thousand  men  here,  and 
four  at  Bennington,  who  will  endeavor  to  get  in  his  rear, 
while  we  attack  in  front;  our  people  are  in  high  spirits,  and 
wish  for  action. 

We  expect  soon  to  hear  of  an  action  between  Gens.  Wash- 
ington, and  Howe.  This  month,  I  believe,  will  be  very  im- 
portant in  the  annals  of  America.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  hear- 
ing from  home  a  few  days  since,  when  all  were  well.  Capt. 
W7ooster,  by  whom  I  send  this,  informs  me  Capt.  Mansfield 
has  lately  been  ill,  but  is  recovered.  Please  present  my  re- 
spects to  him,  and  Col.  Oswald,  and  rest  assured  of  the  friend- 
ship and  good  wishes  of, 

Dr  Colonel, 

Your  affectionate, 

Humble  serv't, 

B.  Arnold. 
Col.  Lamb. 

P.  S.  Please  assure  Col.  Oswald,  that  the  hurry  of  busi- 
ness only,  prevents  my  writing  him.  I  have  hardly  one  mi- 
nute to  myself.  I  wish  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you  both 
often.  B.  A. 

•Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


172  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

N.  B.  My  sister  writes  me,  she  sent  one  of  my  horses  to 
Peekskill,  about  the  25th  July,  to  be  forwarded  to  me;  and 
that  she  intended  sending  another,  the  last  of  July.  I  have 
received  neither,*  and  beg  the  favor  of  Col.  Oswald,  to  make 
enquiry  for  them,  as  he  knows  the  horses;  the  one  a  sorrel 
stallion;  the  other  a  sorrel  mare.  I  wish  him,  if  they  can  be 
found,  to  send  them  to  Albany,  to  the  Dep'y  Qr-Master  Ge- 
neral. Yours, 

B.  A.f 

By  this  time,  indications  of  activity  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  in  New  York,  began  to  reconcile  Col.  Lamb  to  his  po- 
sition. There  were  three  posts  in  the  Highlands.  The  first 
point  selected  by  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  under  the  advisement  of  Col.  Bernard  Ro- 
mans, engineer  appointed  by  the  Congress,  was  situated  on 
the  crown  of  Martlaers  rock,  or  Martyrs  cliff,  opposite  to 
West  Point,  and  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river.J  This  posi- 
tion was  supposed  to  form  part  of  the  estate  of  Col.  Beverly 
Robinson,  to  whom  application  was  made  by  the  Commis- 
sioners, to  purchase  the  site;§  who,  in  reply,  informed  them 
that  the  ground  did  not  belong  to  him,  or  he  would  freely 
grant  it  to  the  public,  for  the  purpose  contemplated ;  and  he 
referred  them  to  the  agent  of  Mrs.  Ogilvie,  the  real  owner.|| 
A  morass  in  the  rear,  and  a  creek  surrounding  the  point,  gave 
it  the  appearance  of  a  very  defensible  position;  but  it  was 
found  to  be  commanded  by  West  Point,  and  the  hills  above 

*  This  may  explain  the  reason,  why  Arnold  rode  a  borrowed  horse  at 
the  battles  of  Saratoga;  though  it  appears  that  Gov.  Lewis,  and  Gen. 
Wilkinson,  are  at  issue  with  regard  to  the  owner  of  the  animal,  thus  em- 
ployed. Wilkinson  affirming  the  one  ridden  on  the  7th  October,  to  have 
been  a  black  horse,  belonging  to  Mr.  Leonard  Chester;  and  Mr.  Sparks, 
on  the  authority  of  Gov.  Lewis,  says:  "The  animal  was  a  beautiful 
Spanish  horse,  which  had  formerly  belonged  to  Gov.  Skeene,  but  now  the 
property  of  Col.  Lewis,  and  borrowed  by  Arnold,  for  the  occasion.  Wilk- 
inson was  most  probably  correct,  as  he  says  he  saw  the  horse  dead,  in  the 
redoubt. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  American  Archives.  §  Idem.  ||  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  173 

it.  A  Committee  of  Congress,  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Robert 
Treat  Paine,  and  John  Langdon,  visited  the  works,  and  re- 
ported this  defect  to  Congress.  The  Commander-in-Chief, 
then  directed  Gen.  Putnam  to  order  Lord  Sterling,  with  Cols. 
Putnam,  and  Knox,  to  make  farther  reconnoissances;  Col. 
Knox  not  being  able  to  attend,  Capt.  Sergeant  was  substi- 
tuted in  his  stead.  Lord  Stirling,  in  behalf  of  this  Commit- 
tee, recommended  the  occupation  of  West  Point;  and  in  ad- 
dition to  the  works  on  the  north  bank  of  Pooploop's  kill, 
already  in  contemplation,  that  the  eminence  on  the  south 
side,  which  commanded  the  left  bank  of  the  creek,  to  its 
mouth,  should  be  fortified  also. 

A  Committee  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  was  appointed  to 
confer  with  Gen.  Washington,  on  the  subject  of  the  fortifica- 
tions in  the  Highlands;  who,  probably  in  consequence  of  the 
report  of  Lord  Sterling,  decided  upon  taking  the  direction  of 
the  river  defences  into  his  own  hands.  The  Commissioners 
were  accordingly  discharged  of  further  superintendence  by 
the  Congress.  The  suggestions  of  Lord  Sterling  were  adopted 
to  the  letter.  A  strong  work  was  erected  on  the  south  bank 
of  Pooploop's  creek;  and  the  energies  of  the  government 
were  devoted  to  put  it  in  a  respectable  state  of  defence;  while 
Fort  Montgomery,  on  the  other  side,  was  left  in  an  imperfect 
state.  These  works  were  commanded  by  Fort  Clinton,  which 
was  elevated  twenty-three  feet  above  them.* 

As  soon  as  they  were  in  a  condition  to  receive  garrisons, 
the  command  of  the  post  was  assigned  to  Brig.  Gen.  James 
Clinton,  who  was  stationed  in  the  Fort  bearing  his  name; 
and  to  Col.  Lamb,  was  committed  the  defence  of  Fort  Mont- 
gomery. A  company  of  Lamb's  artillery,  with  a  few  regu- 
lars and  militia,  not  a  tenth  part  enough  to  defend  them,  were 
placed  in  each  fort;  and  thus,  positions,  upon  which  every 
thing  depended,  were  so  weakly  garrisoned  as  to  tempt  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  the  least  enterprising  of  the  British  com- 
manders, to  undertake  to  carry  them  by  a  coup  de  main.f 
*  American  Archives.  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         fldem. 


174  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  1777,  the  Continental  Congress,  at 
the  suggestion  of  that  of  New  York,  resolved  to  appoint  a 
commandant  of  the  forts  in  the  Highlands,  when  George 
Clinton  was  elected  to  that  post,  and  the  rank  of  Brigadier 
General  assigned  him.  A  short  time  afterwards,  that  officer 
was  elected  Governor  of  New  York,  and  the  duties  of  that 
station  absorbing  his  time,  he  did  not  assume  the  command. 

A  point  of  land  commanding  the  mouth  of  the  Peekskill, 
and  protecting  the  communication  with  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, designated  by  Lord  Sterling,  was  also  occupied  and  forti- 
fied; and  Gen.  Putnam,  with  a  corps  of  regulars  and  militia, 
was  stationed  near  it,  as  commander  of  the  forces  in  the 
Highlands* 

Early  in  October,  the  British  General  embarked  his  forces, 
ostensibly  for  a  southern  expedition,  and  waited  a  favorable 
wind  for  the  execution  of  his  real  design,  which  was  to  make 
a  diversion  in  favor  of  Burgoyne,  (then  held  in  check  at  the 
north)  by  the  capture  of  the  river  defences.  The  opportuni- 
ties were  propitious,  and  a  powerful  naval  armament,  with 
four  thousand  troops  on  board,  suddenly  menanced  Putnam's 
position,  and  landed  at  Verplanck's  Point.f 

Putnam  was  caught  by  the  device,  and  believing  the  de- 
fences on  the  east  side  of  the  river  to  be  the  object  of  the 
British  General,  obstinately  refused  the  entreaties  of  officers 
more  sagacious  than  himself,J  to  send  adequate  succors  to  the 
posts  opposite;  nor  after  the  main  body  of  the  British  had 
the  next  day  crossed  to  Stoney  Point,  and  were  on  their  march 
to  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery;  and  even  after  the  firing 
was  heard  at  the  forts  above  him,  could  he  be  prevailed 
upon  to  send  forces  to  the  relief  of  the  beleaguered  posts.§ 

*  American  Archives.  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  Marshall.  J  Lamb  papers. 

§  It  was  equally  unfortunate  for  the  country,  and  the  military  reputa- 
tion of  Putnam,  that  he  suffered  himself  to  be  so  deceived ;  and  this  scarcely 
could  have  happened,  had  Col.  Burr  been  of  his  military  family  at  that 
time-,  but  some  months  before,  he  had  been  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel 
of  Malcom's  regiment;  and  was  then  in  command  of  it  in  New  Jersey. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  175 

But  Gov.  Clinton  was  not  so  easily  blinded.  As  soon  as 
notice  was  given  him  that  the  fleet  was  on  the  river,  he  pro- 
rogued the  legislature,  then  in  session  at  Kingston,  and  col- 
lecting such  militia  as  could  be  assembled,  proceeded  to 
assume  the  command  to  which  he  had  been  assigned  by  Con- 
gress. He  had  scarcely  time  to  throw  himself,  with  four 
hundred  of  his  followers,  into  the  forts,  when  the  British, 
having  deceived  Putnam,  advanced  to  the  attack.  The  whole 
force  reached  the  pass  of  the  Dunderberg  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  when  a  halt  was  ordered.  Lieut.-Col.  Camp- 
bell, of  the  fifty-second  regiment,  with  part  of  his  own,  and 
and  the  fifty-seventh,  the  American  Loyalists,  under  Col.  Be- 
verly Robinson,  the  New  York  Volunteers  under  Col.  Grant, 
together  with  Emerick's  Chasseurs,  in  all,  about  nine  hun- 
dred men*  were  ordered  to  detour  round  the  westerly  side  of 
Bear  hill,  in  order  to  gain  the  rear  of  Fort  Montgomery.  As 
soon  as  sufficient  time  had  elapsed  to  enable  this  detachment 
to  effect  the  detour,  the  right  column  under  Clinton,  and 
Vaughan,  passing  the  ravine  between  Bear  hill,  and  Dun- 
derberg, began  their  march  upon  Fort  Clinton,  while  a  bri- 
gade under  Tryon,  ex-governor  of  New  York,  who  had  ac- 
cepted the  commission  of  Major-General  of  Provincials,  was 
left  to  keep  open  the  communication  with  the  left  wing,  and 
to  cover  the  retreat,  in  case  of  disaster.  Campbell's  detach- 
ment fell  in  with  a  small  force  of  Americans,  of  thirty  men; 
these  he  attacked,  and  they  retreated,  skirmishing,  into  Fort 
Clinton.f  Gov.  Clinton,  who  had  left  his  brother  in  command 
of  the  strongest  post,  undertook  the  defence  of  the  more  ex- 
tensive and  half-finished  works  of  Fort  Montgomery. 

Immediately  after  the  piquets  were  driven  in,  Gov.  Clinton 
ordered  a  force  of  one  hundred  men,  under  Lieut.-Cols.  Bruyn, 
and  McClaughry,  towards  Doodletown,J  and  a  detachment  of 

*  Almon's  Remembrancer,  and  Maps,  Warden's  collection  in  State  Li- 
brary, fldem. 

{Gov.  Clinton's  letter  to  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  Albany.  Dun- 
lap's  History  of  New  York. 


176  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

sixty  men,  with  a  brass  field  piece,  to  a  favorable  position  on 
the  furnace  road,  to  check  the  enemy,  and  gall  him  in  the  ad- 
vance. Both  parties  were  soon  in  action.  The  artillery  was 
reinforced  with  forty  men;*  and  the  two  detachments  main- 
tained a  spirited  resistance,  until  driven  from  their  positions 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  by  the  overwhelming  force  of  the 
enemy.  The  nature  of  the  ground  rendering  it  impossible  to 
bring  off  the  gun,  it  was  spiked  and  abandoned-!  A  twelve 
pounder,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Lamb,  having  been 
placed  so  as  to  cover  the  retreat,  the  two  parties  retired  in 
good  order,  and  with  little  loss  to  the  fort.  J 

By  this  time,  the  main  body  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  had 
reached  the  other  fortress;  and  both  positions  were  attacked 
with  great  resolution.^  The  firing  continued  on  both  sides 
with  unabated  spirit,  until  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when 
a  flag  was  sent  to  the  Governor,  with  a  summons  to  surrender 
in  five  minutes,  or  abide  a  general  assault.  The  terms  were 
rejected  with  scorn,  and  the  best  disposition  made  for  de- 
fence.||  The  numbers  of  the  enemy  were  sufficient  to  enable 
them  to  assail  the  garrison  on  all  sides  at  once,  and  after  a 
short  interval,  the  storm  on  both  forts  commenced.  Not- 
withstanding the  scanty  number  of  the  defenders,  the  guns 
were  actively  served,  and  the  enemy  repeatedly  repulsed ;  but 
the  works  were  too  extensive,  and  taking  advantage  of  the 
darkness,  the  lines,  and  the  redoubts  of  both  places  were  car- 
ried.H  Part  of  the  garrisons  were  made  prisoners,  among 
whom  was  Maj.  Stephen  Lush,  the  Governor's  aid;  but  the 
commanders  of  both  forts,  with  their  principal  officers,  and 
many  of  the  men,  fought  their  way  through  the  enemy,  and 
escaped.**  James  Clinton,  the  commander  of  Fort  Clinton, 
cut  his  passage  to  the  woods  in  the  rear.  While  thus  en- 
gaged, a  British  soldier  made  a  thrust  at  him  with  his  bayo- 
net; but  happening  to  have  the  orderly  book  of  his  garrison, 

*  Gov.  Clinton's  letter  to  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  Albany.     Dun- 
lap's  History  of  New  York,    f  Clinton's  Letter.    J  Idem.  $Idem.   ||  Idem. 
Tf  Traditional  History  of  the  Lamb  family.         **  Idem. 


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LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  177 

in  the  pocket  of  his  coat;  the  point  of  the  weapon  was  ar- 
rested by  the  book;  and  the  General  escaped  with  a  wound 
in  his  thigh,  not  so  deep  as  to  disable  him.*  George  Clin- 
ton was  unhurt,  but  came  near  captivity  or  death.  He  had 
reached  the  river  side,  as  a  boat  with  part  of  the  garrison, 
was  on  their  way  across  to  the  opposite  shore,  when  he  hailed 
the  fugitives.  An  officer,  familiar  with  the  sound,  recog- 
nized the  Governor's  voice,  and  ordered  the  boat  back.  It 
was  loaded  to  the  gunwale,  and  Clinton,  unwilling  to  endan- 
ger the  safety  of  the  others,  refused  to  enter;  determining  to 
attempt  the  passage  by  swimming.  To  obviate  this  necessity, 
the  patriotic  officer  offered  to  surrender  his  place,  and  run  the 
risk  of  captivity  himself,  rather  than  to  hazard  the  safety  of 
the  Governor;  but  to  this  the  latter  would  not  consent.  An 
experiment  was  made,  and  it  was  found  that  the  boat  might 
possibly  carry  them  all,  without  swamping.  The  passage, 
though  attended  with  much  danger,  was  happily  made,  and 
the  whole  party  landed  safely  on  the  opposite  shore.f 

Col.  Lamb,  soon  after  the  close  investment  of  the  fort,  was 
ordered  by  Gov.  Clinton,  to  the  water  batteries;  J  where  a 
heavy  attack  had  begun,  sustained  by  a  part  of  the  enemy's 
flotilla;  which  had,  notwithstanding  the  fire  of  the  American 
galleys,  approached  within  striking  distance.  While  busily 
engaged  in  the  defence,  a  drummer  boy,§  finding  his  vocation 
of  little  use,  accosted  Col.  Lamb,  and  begged  that  he  might 
have  a  musket.||  This,  on  account  of  his  extreme  youth,  and 
presumed  inexperience,  was  at  first  refused;  and  the  little 

*  Traditional  history. 

f  Mr.  Headly,  in  his  life  of  James  Clinton,  has  this  incident  erroneously 
stated.  He  makes  that  General,  the  person,  who  by  entreaty,  and  almost 
by  compulsion,  saved  the  life  of  the  Governor,  his  younger  brother.  He 
forgets  that  both  fortresses  were  carried  about  the  same  time,  and  that  at 
the  moment  the  lines  were  forced,  the  brothers  were  more  than  half  a 
mile  apart. 

J  Traditional  history. 

$  Now  or  lately  Gen.  Godwin,  of  Patterson,  New  Jersey. 

||  Family  tradition. 

23 


178  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

fellow  cried  with  vexation,  and  disappointment  at  the  refusal. 
This  so  wrought  on  Col.  Lamb,  that  he  ordered  him  to  be  sup- 
plied with  arms;  and  side  by  side,  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gano,  the 
Chaplain,  he  waited  the  advance  of  the  storming  party.  A 
part  of  the  platoon  was  for  firing  too  soon,  but  the  new  re- 
cruit insisted  upon  waiting  until  the  white  of  the  eye  was 
visible,  that  the  shot  might  have  sure  effect;  and  he  sustained 
his  part  very  bravely  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  action.* 

The  defenders  of  the  fort,  from  the  paucity  of  the  garrison, 
were  much  scattered,  and  part  of  the  parapet  on  the  other 
side  had  been  scaled  and  was  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy. 
The  reverend,  and  valiant  chaplain,  having  ascertained  this, 
and  that  the  defences  on  Lamb's  side,  would  soon  be  assailed 
in  the  rear,  advised  him  of  the  fact;  and  as  a  wounded  officer 
from  the  other  side  arrived,  announcing  the  hopelessness  of 
farther  resistance;  orders  were  given  to  cut  their  way  through 
the  enemy.  This  was  done;  and  rushing  down  the  outside 
of  the  parapet,  a  part  of  the  garrison,  Lamb,  sword  in  hand 
at  their  head,  escaped  ;f  himself  without  personal  injury,  but 
with  the  loss  of  his  private  and  military  papers. 

In  this  affair,  the  heaviest  loss  in  officers  and  men,  fell 
upon  the  assailants  of  Fort  Montgomery,!  Colonels  Camp- 
bell and  Grant,§  with  other  officers,  were  killed,  and  the 
command  of  the  detachment  which  assailed  that  fort  had  de- 
volved on  Col.  Robinson,  at  the  time  of  the  capture. 

The  defence  of  these  posts  was  obstinate  and  well  con- 
tested. The  loss  of  the  British  was  severe.  An  aid-de-camp 
of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  two  colonels,  besides  other  officers, 
were  killed,  and  the  valor  evinced  by  the  garrison,  officers 
and  men,  was  loudly  applauded.  The  reputation  of  both 
the  Clintons,  for  courage,  was  deservedly  high,  and  the  bra- 
very exhibited  on  this  occasion,  added  much  to  their  military 

*  Family  tradition.  t  Idem.  J  Idem. 

§  Sir  H.  Clinton's  official  account,  in  Almon's  Remembrancer,  5th  vol., 
424,  £c. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  179 

fame;  and  the  histories  of  the  time,   gave  great  commenda- 
tion to  the  defenders  of  these  forts.* 

There  was  a  volunteer,  a  Scotchman,  by  the  name  of 
Stuart,  engaged  in  this  battle;  and  it  appears  that  he  did 
not  hold  the  rebels  in  the  same  horror,  as  his  countryman  at 
Quebec;  for  he  joined  the  American  ranks,  and  resisted  the 
assailants  with  much  intrepidity.     He  had  often  heard  the 

*And  yet  Mr.  Hamilton,  regardless  of  the  well-earned  fame  of  others, 
has  ventured  to  decry  it.  In  page  146,  of  the  life  of  his  father,  speaking 
of  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery,  he  says:  "The  former,  a  circular 
height,  defended  hy  a  line  for  musketry,  with  a  barbet  battery  in  the 
centre  of  three  guns,  and  flanked  with  two  redoubts;  the  latter,  'strong- 
ly fortified  by  nature,  almost  inaccessible  in  itself,  and  sufficiently 
manned,1  were  both,  '  after  a  feeble  and  unskilful  defence,  carried  by 
storm.'  Gov.  Clinton,  who  commanded,  a  man  of  courage,  and  on  most 
occasions,  active  and  vigorous,  having  escaped." 

The  above  remarks ,  describing  Fort  Clinton,  are  extracted  from  the 
official  report  of  the  storm  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  without  any  marks  of 
quotation,  and  those  which  relate  to  Fort  Montgomery,  are  marked  as 
extracts.  I  have  not  been  able  to  discover  from  whence  they  were  taken, 
but  every  book  relating  to  the  subject,  to  which  I  have  had  access,  so  far 
from  expressing  such  sentiments,  gives  opinions  directly  the  reverse. 
But  from  whatever  source  derived,  they  are  notoriously  untrue;  and  in 
their  application  to  the  Clintons,  to  Lamb,  Livingston,  Dubois,  Bruyn, 
and  to  the  other  officers,  and  to  the  rank  and  file  of  the  garrisons,  they  are 
ungenerous  and  unjust. 

Instead  of  being  formidable  by  nature,  and  sufficiently  manned,  Fort 
Montgomery  was  incomplete,  and  easily  attained.  There  were  not  half 
men  enough  in  both  garrisons  to  have  defended  Fort  Clinton  alone,  which 
was  by  far  the  most  impregnable  position.  And  as  for  the  ability  and 
vigor  of  the  defence,  Steadman,  a  British  officer,  who  served  in  the  war, 
under  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  other  Generals,  in  his  history  of  the  times, 
after  rating  the  garrison  at  four  hundred  men,  admitting  that  "the 
point  assailed  at  Fort  Montgomery,  was  not  very  strong,  either  from  situ- 
ation or  works,"  extols  the  valor,  and  "invincible  resolution"  of  the  as- 
sailants "m  no  instance  exceeded  during  the  American  war"  and  de- 
clares that  the  Americans  defended  themselves  courageously."  Even 
Gates,  who  was  reluctant  to  admit  the  merit  of  any  one,  not  of  his  fac- 
tion, (and  the  defenders  of  the  Highland  Forts,  were  the  fast  friends  of 
Washington,)  declares  that  "  the  noble  defence  of  Fort  Montgomery,  will, 
to  the  latest  posterity,  adorn  the  name  of  Clinton." 

Was  it  well  done  in  the  grandson  of  Schuyler,  a  patriot  of  the  purest 


180  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

officers  boast  the  goodness  and  justice  of  the  cause  they  were 
engaged  in.  I  know  little  about  the  quarrel,  was  the  reply, 
and  care  less;  it  is  enough  for  me,  that  you  are  rebels  to  the 
House  of  Hanover,  to  keep  me  on  your  side.  My  grand 
father  was  a  rebel,  and  out  in  the  Fifteen;  and  my  father 
was  engaged  in  Forty-five,  and  at  Culloden.     I  was  born  a 

character,  whose  memory  has  more  than  that  of  any  other,  suffered  by 
false  history,  and  the  calumnies  of  the  time,  thus  to  deny  recorded  facts, 
and  to  controvert  established  history,  in  order  to  derogate  from  the  fame 
those  who  stood  "second  to  none,"  not  even  to  that  illustrious  ancestor, 
whom  he  justly  reveres,  for  patriotism  in  council,  and  prowess  in  the 
field? 

That  the  forts  might  have  been  successfully  defended,  and  the  force  sent 
against  them,  cut  to  pieces,  had  General  Putnam  known  how  to  use  the 
means  at  his  disposal,  is  very  probable;  but  he  was  completely  de- 
ceived, in  taking  the  feint,  for  the  real  attack;  permitting  the  British 
General  to  carry  an  overwhelming  force  against  the  only  object  of  his  ex- 
pedition, and  by  main  force,  literally  to  crowd  out  the  garrison,  by  dint 
of  numbers. 

That  works,  a  quarter  manned,  should  be  able  to  resist  so  formidable  a 
force  the  whole  day,  does  not  speak  "a  feeble  and  unskilful  defence  ;" 
and  that  the  chief  commanders,  and  a  large  part  of  the  garrison,  should  be 
able  to  cut  through  the  press  that  surrounded  them,  is  some  evidence  of 
intrepidity  in  their  defenders.  That  Washington  so  considered  it,  we 
have  the  authority  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  who  says:  "  The  works 
were  defended  with  resolution,  and  were  maintained  until  dark;  when  the 
lines  being  too  extensive  to  be  completely  manned,  the  assailants  entered 
them  in  different  places.  The  defence  being  no  longer  possible,  some  of 
the  garrison  were  made  prisoners,  while  their  better  knowledge  of  the 
country,  enabled  others  to  escape." 

The  Court  of  Enquiry,  ordered  by  Congress,  to  investigate  the  causes 
of  the  loss,  entirely  acquits  the  commanders  of  the  forts,  of  all  blame, 
and  ascribes  it  to  the  weakness  of  the  garrisons  alone,  as  will  appear  by 
the  following  extract  from  the  Journals  of  Congress : 

Aug.  17,  1778.  Report  of  Court  of  Enquiry,  respecting  the  loss  of 
Forts  Montgomery,  and  Clinton:  "  That  upon  a  careful  examination  of 
the  facts  stated  to  the  Court  of  Enquiry,  and  consideration  of  the  evidence 
taken,  and  transmitted ;  it  appears  that  those  posts  were  lost,  not  from 
any  fault,  misconduct,  or  negligence  of  the  commanding  officers;  but 
solely  through  the  want  of  an  adequate  force  under  their  command,  to 
maintain  and  defend  them." 

To  this  report  Congress  agreed. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  181 

rebel,  and  bred  a  rebel,  and  a  rebel  to  that  family,  I  will  be 
to  the  day  of  my  death.* 

In  scrambling  down  the  parapet,  in  the  retreat,  he  missed 
his  footing  and  fell,  his  sword  escaping  his  grasp;  as  he  had 
gained  his  knees,  and  was  groping  for  the  lost  weapon,  a 
British  soldier  was  close  upon  him,  with  intent  to  dispatch 
him  with  the  bayonet;  the  unevenness  of  the  ground  caused 
him  too  to  stumble;  and  before  he  could  recover;  the  Scotch- 
man, drawing  his  dirk,  pinned  him  to  the  ground;  and  leap- 
ing over  the  dead  body,  joined  his  companions.  The  loss  of 
his  hereditary  claymore,  grievffi  him  sadly;  and  after  the 
war  was  ended  he  waited  on  Col.  Lamb,  requesting  him  to 
use  his  influence  with  Congress,  to  have  his  sword  recovered, 
or  another  given  him  in  its  stead.f 

*  Family  tradition.  t  Idem. 


182  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Putnam  out  maneuvered.— Oswald  begs  to  reinforce  the  Forts. —Retreat 
to  New  Windsor.—  He th's  Battle  of  Germantown.— Fort  Constitution. 
—Geo.  Clinton  meditates  recovery  of  the  Forts.— Putnam  an  attack  on 
New  York.— Oswald's  Letter.— Col.  Malcom's.— Burgoyne's  Surren- 
der.—Sir  H.  Clinton  moves  up  the  River.— Artillery  on  both  sides  at- 
tempt to  annoy  him.— Esopus  burnt.— Holt.— C.  Colles.— Gen.  Knox's 
Letter.— Red  Bank.— Gates  sends  Reinforcements  to  main  Army.— 
Putnam  detains  them.— Ordered  by  Hamilton  to  join  Head  Quarters  at 
White  Marsh.— Gen  Knox's  Letter.— Fort  Mifflin —Fortifications. — 
Philadelphia. 

Before  Gen.  Putnam  left  the  camp  on  his  project  of  recon- 
noitering  the  enemy,  Lieut.-Col.  Oswald,  who  had  pene- 
trated the  real  intention  of  the  expedition,  begged  to  be  or- 
dered with  a  reinforcement  to  the  relief  of  the  forts;*  and  it 
was  not  until  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  crossed,  with  the  great 
body  of  the  troops,  to  the  other  side,  and  the  posts  there 
absolutely  invested,  that  the  general  began  to  discover  that 
his  post  was  not  the  object  of  attack.  He  then  ordered  a 
reinforcement  to  the  fort,  but  it  was  too  late  to  aid  in  the 
defence;  and  was  of  no  benefit,  unless  it  helped  the  garrison 
to  make  good  their  retreat.  In  the  vexation  of  the  moment, 
Oswald  wrote  the  following  letter: 

6th  October,  1777. 

Heaven  preserve  you  all,  my  dear  Colonel !  I  feel  for  you, 
and  lament  that  I  can't  assist  you.  I  have  made  application 
to  Gen.  Putnam,  that  a  reinforcement  of  artillerymen  and 
myself,  might  be  sent  off  to  your  support,  but  to  my  mortifi- 
cation, he  absolutely  refuses.  By  the  next  express  let  him 
know  if  more  artillery  are  needed,  and  that  I  might  be  or- 
dered to  join  you.     A  large  reinforcement  is  on  their  march 

to  your  assistance^ 

Yours,  affectionately, 
Col.  Lamb.  E.  Oswald-! 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         t  Idem. 
X  Sent  after  Putnam's  return. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  183 

After  the  heroic,  though  unsuccessful  defence  of  the  forts, 
Governor  Clinton,  with  James  Clinton,  Colonel  Lamb,  and 
other  officers  and  men  who  cut  their  way  through  the  enemy, 
assembled  at  New  Windsor,  and  for  several  days  meditated 
the  recapture  of  the  forts  from  the  British. 

At  this  place,  Colonel  Lamb  received  a  letter  from  his  fel- 
low prisoner  at  Quebec,  Heth.*  The  information  contained 
in  it,  brought  little  consolation  to  the  mind  of  one,  who  felt 
so  keenly  the  disasters  of  the  country;  and  as  some  of  his 
companies  were  with  McDougalPs  brigade,  he  deplored 
the  loss  of  the  battle  of  Germantown,  almost  as  severely  as 
his  own  defeat. 

Camp  Parcomans, 

Oct.  12,  1777. 
Dear  Colonel: 

The  inclosed  just  came  to  hand  by  some  Gent,  in  the 
Frederick  militia.  I  seize  the  present  hour  to  write  you, 
tho'  am  uncertain  when  it  will  meet  with  a  conveyance. 

Before  this  reaches  you,  the  news  of  our  late  action  at 
Germantown,  no  doubt  will  have  come  to  hand.  It  was  a 
grand  enterprise;  an  inimitable  plan,  which  nothing  but  its 
Godlike  author  could  equal.  Had  the  execution  of  it  been 
equal  to  its  formation,  it  must  have  been  attended  with  the 
most  happy  success.  The  following  are  the  outlines  of  the 
orders,  and  the  assault,  which  had  nearly  completed  the  ruin 
of  the  whole  British  army.  In  fact  we  had  gained  a  victory, 
had  we  known  it. 

On  Friday  evening,  the  3d  inst,  the  whole  army  marched 
from  their  encampment,  (about  11  miles  from  the  enemy,) 
disposed  of  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  march  by  several  routes, 
so  as  to  arrive  at  the  enemy's  picquets,  by  2  o'clock — then 
wait  until  the  hour  of  4,  and  then  to  advance  with  charged 
bayonet,  upon  their  front,  flank  and  rear;  but  from  short 
marches  and  frequent  halts,  it  was  near  6,  before  the  first 
volley  of  small  arms  was  heard;  when  General  Greene  and 
Stephens'  divisions  who  were  to  oppose  the  enemys  right, 
were  then,  (from  some  mismanagement,)  only  forming  at 
more  than  a  mile  distant.     However,  our  troops  who  made 

*  This  officer  kept  a  journal  of  the  events  of  the  war,  and  Marshall 
has  made,  as  he  acknowledges,  great  use  of  it  in  his  history. 


184  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  attack  were  successful ;  they  drove  the  enemy  from  field 
to  field,  and  through  part  of  Germantown.  In  the  mean 
time,  our  wing,  by  another  piece  of  bad  conduct,  attempted 
to  march  in  line  of  battle,  'til  that  order  was  found  impracti- 
cable; which  from  the  number  of  post  and  rail  fences,  thick- 
ets, and  in  short  every  thing  that  could  obstruct  our  march, 
threw  us  frequently  into  the  greatest  disorder;  and  as  the 
heavy  fire  before  us,  urged  us  on  to  a  dog  trot,  we  were  nearly 
exhausted  before  we  came  to  the  first  field  of  action;  when 
unfortunately  a  strong  stone  house,  in  which  the  enemy  had 
taken  post,  drew  the  attention  of  ten  times  the  number,  that 
would  have  been  sufficient  to  keep  them  snug;  and  from 
which  we  received  considerable  damage.  And  after  we  had 
brought  some  artillery  to  play  upon  opposite  parts  of  the 
house;  each  party  took  the  other  for  the  enemy.  About  this 
time,  an  opinion  prevailed  among  some  general  officers,  that 
the  house  was  occupied  by  our  own  men,  when  part  of  our 
troops  were  ordered  off.  The  heavy  smoke,  added  to  a  thick 
fog,  was  of  great  injury  to  us.  It  undoubtedly  encreased  the 
fears  of  some,  to  fancy  themselves  flanked  and  surrounded; 
which  like  an  electrical  shock,  seized  some  thousands,  who 
fled  in  confusion,  without  the  appearance  of  an  enemy. 

What  makes  this  inglorious  flight  more  grating  to  us,  is, 
that  we  know  the  enemy  had  orders  to  retreat,  and  ren- 
dezvous at  Chester;  and  that  upwards  of  two  thousand 
Hessians  had  actually  crossed  the  Schuylkill  for  that  purpose; 
that  the  tories  were  in  the  utmost  distress,  and  moving  out  of 
the  city;  that  our  friends  confined  in  the  new  gaol,  made  it 
ring  with  shouts  of  joy;  that  we  passed,  in  pursuing  them, 
upwards  of  twenty  pieces  of  cannon,  their  tents  standing, 
filled  with  their  choicest  baggage;  in  fine,  every  thing  was  as 
we  could  wish,  when  the  above  flight  took  place.  Tho'  we 
gave  away  a  complete  victory,  we  have  learned  this  valuable 
truth,  that  we  are  able  to  beat  them  by  vigorous  exertion, 
and  that  we  are  far  superior  in  point  of  swiftness.  We  are 
in  high  spirits;  every  action  gives  our  troops  fresh  vigor,  and 
a  greater  opinion  of  their  own  strength;  another  bout  or  two, 
must  make  their  situation  very  disagreeable. 

They  have  made  several  attempts  to  bring  up  their  ship- 
ping, which  has  been  attended  with  some  loss  on  their  side. 
Fort  Mifflin  is  strong,  and  great  dependence  is  put  in  the  of- 
ficer who  commands,  and  the  troops  under  him.  We  have  lost 
many  valuable  spirits;  but  none  that  I  now  recollect,  of  your 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  185 

particular  acquaintance.     The  enemy  have  also  lost  in  the 
same  way. 

I  am,  Dr  Sir, 

Yours  sincerely, 

Will  Heth.* 
Col.  Lamb. 

The  enemy,  after  the  capture  of  Forts  Montgomery,  and 
Clinton,  sent  a  flag  to  Fort  Constitution,  with  summons  to 
surrender.  Capt.  Mott,  who  commanded  there,  with  a  hand- 
ful of  artificers,  fired  on  the  flag,  and  refused  to  treat.  He 
had  resolved  on  evacuating  the  place,  which  he  did  on  the 
same  night,  and  drew  off  his  men.f  The  enemy  now  pushed 
up  a  force  of  two  thousand  men,  and  landing  below  the  fort, 
they  marched  into  its  unoccupied  walls,  without  any  opposi- 
tion.! 

Some  of  the  histories  seem  to  consider  the  evacuation  of 
Fort  Constitution,  as  unadvised,  and  precipitate.  Probably 
deceived  by  the  hardihood  of  the  garrison,  in  firing  upon  the 
flag,  they  imagined  that  the  place  was  well  garrisoned,  and  de- 
fensible. This  is  a  mistake;  it  was  a  mere  laboratory,  as 
the  following  letters  from  the  Commander  will  manifest: 

Fort  Constitution,  31  Aug.,  1777. 
Dear  Colonel: 

I  am  obliged  to  go  to  Fort  Montgomery  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, when  I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  Lieut. 
Ashton  is  just  arrived,  and  as  he  is  unwell,  I  have  laid  my 
commands  upon  him,  not  to  leave  this  post  without  my  con- 
sent; you'll  be  kind  enough  to  excuse  this,  and  I  will  pro- 
duce him  to  you  in  the  morning. 

Our  men  are  continually  on  guard,  that  is  three  relieves. 
I  should  be  happy  in  the  command  of  this  post,  if  the  Gene- 
ral would  see  it  proper  to  send  fifty  men  more,  without  which 
reinforcement,  our  smiths  must  stand  still  in  four  days.  If 
this  reinforcement  should  be  sent,  we  could  burn  the  coal  ne- 
cessary; furnish  the  fatigue  parties,  and  keep  the  necessary 
guards ;  though  I  humbly  conceive  seventy-two  ought  to  be 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem. 

X  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 
24 


186  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  reinforcement,  as  many  of  our  men  stand  in  need  of  dis- 
cipline. 

I  am  affectionately  yours, 

G.  Mott.* 
To  Col.  Lamb. 

Fort  Constitution,  3d  Oct.,  1777. 
"  We  have  only  two  barrels  of  flour  in  this  garrison,  and 
not  a  boat  to  fetch  any,  or  transport  coal  across  the  river; 
our  only  boat  is  with  our  oars,  detained  at  Fort  Montgomery. 
I  beg  you  would  be  pleased  to  speak  to  the  General,  to  have 
that  boat  and  oars  sent  to  this  garrison,  otherwise,  our  arti- 
ficers must  be  idle,  as  well  as  our  grinders,  having  no  bread." 
I  am  Sir,  your  very  humble  serv't, 

Gershom  MoTT.f 
Col.  Lamb. 

While  Gov.  Clinton  was  endeavoring  to  collect  his  scat- 
tered forces  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  and  gathering 
strength  to  make  an  effort  to  regain  the  Highland  Forts,  Put- 
nam was  pursuing  a  line  of  conduct,  tending,  if  not  intended, 
to  embarrass  the  design.  The  troops  under  his  command, 
were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  to  march.  It  seems  that  he 
seriously  indulged  the  visionary  intention  of  attacking  New 
York,  while  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  on  the  river  above  him; 
and  had  ordered  a  force  to  Peekskill,  preparatory  to  a  march 
for  that  object.  No  cooperation  from  him  therefore,  could 
be  expected  to  favor  the  recovery  of  the  posts.  The  follow- 
ing letters  from  Col.  Oswald,  will  throw  some  light  upon  the 
General's  movements,  and  intentions: 

Fishkill,  13  Oct.,  1777. 

"  G.  Parsons  is  at  Peekskill.  This  morning,  old  Put  came 
and  ordered  me  to  send  off  Capt.  Lockwood,  with  his  two 
pieces  to  join  him,  and  I  am  told  we  are  all  to  go  down  to 
the  Whiteplains. 

"  This  morning,  G.  Parsons  sent  intelligence,  that  Clin- 
ton had  been  reinforced  from  New  York,  and  is  determined 
to  push  up  the  river."J 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem.  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  187 

Fishkill,  15th  October,  1777. 
Dear  Colonel: 

The  whole  army  are  paraded,  and  wait  orders  for  march- 
ing to  Peekskill,  or  perhaps  farther  down,  just  as  the  maggot 
may  bite;  however,  I  am  ordered  to  send  for  a  number  of 
shells,  &c,  prepared  for  the  two  inch  mortars,  and  to  have 
them  in  readiness  when  called  for. 

i(  I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  spending  the  remainder 
of  the  campaign  with  you.  If  we  move  on  towards  New 
York,  I  suppose  that  part  of  the  army  with  you,  will  join  us," 

Colonel  Lamb.* 

While  these  movements,  so  conflicting  with  the  design  of 
recapturing  the  forts,  were  in  agitation,  great  efforts  were 
made  to  forward  preparations.  Col.  Malcom  had  been  sent 
by  Gov.  Clinton,  to  Albany,  for  that  purpose;  but  it  was  soon 
ascertained  that  the  British  had  evacuated  and  destroyed 
them.f  The  battle  of  Saratoga  had  been  fought;  Burgoyne 
had  reached  Albany,  a  prisoner,  and  the  whole  country  knew 
the  particulars  of  the  capitulation,  a  fortnight  before  the  of- 
ficial account  reached  Congress.^  The  Convention  of  Sara- 
toga, found  few  favorers  among  those  who  were  not  of  the 
Gates  faction;  and  Col.  Lamb  was  loudest  in  condemnation 
of  that  precipitate,  and  inexpedient  measure ;§  nor  were  the 
miserable  reasons  afterwards  assigned  by  Gates,  and  his  fol- 
lowers, though  satisfactory  to  Congress,  sufficient  to  change 
his  opinion.  These  sentiments,  unequivocally  avowed,  did 
not  bring  him  into  much  favor  with  Putnam,  nor  did  they  fa" 
cilitate  the  future  operations  of  his  department.|| 

The  enemy  had  proceeded  up  the  river,  on  the  marauding 
expedition,  under  Gen.  Vaughan,  and  had  burnt  Kingston. 
They  were  followed  by  our  artillery,  on  both  sides  of  the 
river;  the  guns  on  the  west  side,  were  too  light  to  do  them 
serious  injury.  They  had,  indeed,  one  twenty-four  pounder, 
soon  made  fit  for  service,  but  had  no  shot.  Gov.  Clinton 
therefore  dispatched  a  messenger  to  Albany,  for  a  supply  for 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         t  Idem.         J  Idem.        §  Idem. 
y  Lamb  papers,  N   Y.  His.  Soc. 


188  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

that,  and  for  the  four  pounders,  which  were  also  deficient  in 
ball.  Col,  Oswald,  on  the  other  side,  was  better  prepared, 
and  with  some  heavy  guns,  did  them  considerable  damage,* 
and  every  effort  was  made  to  annoy  them,  as  they  were  as- 
cending, and  at  their  return.  At  Hurly,  Lamb  received  the 
following  letter  from  Col.  Mai  com: 

Albany,  Oct.  18,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  hope  you  will  soon  be  in  a  sufficient  force  to  put  you  in 
possession  of  F.  M.  Write  me  by  the  return  of  this  express, 
what  is  wanted,  and  every  thing  that  you  can  suggest.  If 
the  fort  falls,  can  not  the  fleet  be  shut  in?  I  think  so;  if 
that  is  the  case,  they  ought  not  to  be  annoyed  in  the  river,  nor 
alarmed  in  any  way;  nor  any  communication  allowed  with 
them.  30  odd  ps  of  train,  in  B.'s  camp,  chiefly  small;  4 
12,  two  24s,  two  8  inch  howitzers,  and  I  think  4  or  5  royals. 
You  will  see  my  letter  to  the  Governor,  The  sooner  I  have 
your  letter,  the  better.  Maj.  Stevens,  of  artillery  here,  ap- 
pears to  be  very  clever,  and  hath  every  kind  of  stores,  in 
abundance.  Your  estimate  then.  It's  necessary  for  me  to 
stay  here.  I'll  tell  you  why,  when  I  see  you. 
Burgoyne  is  here. 

Yrs  afFec'y, 

W.  MALCOM.f 

Col.  Lamb. 

Here  Col.  Lamb  received  intelligence  of  the  misfortunes  of 
two  of  his  old  friends.  Holt,  the  patriot  printer,  who,  on  the 
evacuation  of  New  York,  had  removed  to  New  Haven,  send- 
ing a  part  of  his  materials  to  Danbury,  which  were  much 
scattered,  when  the  British  destroyed  that  town;  afterwards 
removed  to  Kingston,  to  which  place,  Christopher  Colles  had 
also  retired  for  safety;  but  both  these  unfortunate  non-com- 
batants were  driven  off  by  the  enemy,  and  their  property  de- 
stroyed by  the  conflagration  of  Kingston.J 

The  officers  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  were  ordered  to 
Putnam's  head  quarters,  and  by  appointment,  Col.  Lamb  met 
Gen.  James  Clinton,  at  New  Windsor,  from  whence  they  pro- 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  189 

ceeded  together  to  Fishkill.  At  that  place,  the  following  let- 
ter was  received:* 

Head  Quarters,  26  October,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  am  just  informed  of  an  express  going  off  to  Gen.  Putnam, 
and  can  not  refrain  from  congratulating  you  on  the  success 
of  our  arms  in  the  Delaware.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  22d,  Count  Donop,  with  about  twelve  or  fifteen 
hundred  Hessians,  attacked  our  redoubt  at  Red  Bank,  con- 
structed as  a  security  for  our  gallies,  on  the  Jersey  side;  and 
after  a  very  serious  trial,  of  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour, 
were  obliged  to  retreat;  leaving  our  brave  garrison  in  pos- 
session of  the  redoubt,  and  victory.  Count  Donop,  the  Com- 
mander, was  wounded,  and  taken  prisoner;  as  were  near  an 
hundred  others.  The  enemy  left  about  100  dead  on  the  field ; 
their  whole  loss  must  have  been  600.  They  retreated  with 
the  utmost  precipitation,  until  they  recrossed  the  Delaware 
to  Philadelphia. 

The  next  morning,  6  ships  came  up  thro'  the  lower  che- 
vaux  de  frize,  and  commenced  a  most  furious  fire  at  Fort  Is- 
land, and  the  galleys.  These  answered  them  writh  great  spirit, 
and  after  this  infernal  racket  had  continued  for  six  hours,  the 
enemy's  fleet  were  obliged  to  retreat.  In  doing  which,  a 
sixty-four  gun  ship,  and  a  frigate,  both  run  aground,  and 
were  burn'd.  These  events,  glorious  in  themselves,  will  have 
the  best  consequences.  The  garrisons  at  Red  Bank,  and 
Fort  Mifflin,  are  in  high  spirits,  as  well  as  the  men  on  board 
our  fleet.  We  have  hopes  of  being  able  to  prevent  them 
from  getting  possession  of  the  river;  which  if  we  effect,  they 
must  depart  Philadelphia.  Please  to  shew  this  to  Gen.  Par- 
sons, and  give  my  love  to  him. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours, 

affectionately, 

H.  KNox.f 

The  gallantry  displayed  in  this  affair,  and  the  eclat  which 
it  gave  to  our  arms,  was  peculiarly  gratifying  to  Col.  Lamb, 
inasmuch  as  his  old  friend,  and  fellow  prisoner  at  Quebec,  Col. 
Greene,  commanded  the  redoubt. 

Gen.  Washington  derived  but  little  aid  from  the  army  of 
the  Highlands,  and  still  less  from  the  northern  army.  Gates, 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem. 


190  LIFF,  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

with  ample  stores,  and  a  formidable  force,  would  not  im 
port  them  to  strengthen  the  Commander-in-Chief,  whom  he 
vainly  Jmagined  he  should  soon  supersede;  and  gave  out 
that  he  meditated  an  expedition  to  Ticonderoga,  as  his  ex-* 
cuse.  Pressed  by  Washington,  he  was  so  tardy  in  his  move- 
ments, that  Col.  Hamilton  was  dispatched  to  hasten  his  de- 
termination. He  stopped  on  the  way  at  New  Windsor,  the 
camp  of  Gov.  Clinton,  and  crossed  to  Fishkill,  to  confer 
with  Putnam.f 

On  his  arrival  at  Albany,  he  found  Gates  reluctant  to  part 
with  any  of  the  forces.  One  reason  assigned,  was  the  fear 
of  an  attack  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  the  destruction  of 
the  arsenal  at  Albany.J  He  was  so  strenuously  urged,  how- 
ever, that  he  at  length  consented  to  send  Morgan's  corps,  and 
some  very  thin  brigades,  to  the  general  camp.  Hamilton 
vehemently  remonstrated  at  the  inefficiency  of  this  relief;  and 
by  the  vigor  of  his  arguments,  and  some  persuasion,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  changing  the  design.§  On  his  way  back,  he  again 
visited  the  camp  at  Fishkill,  and  found  that  Putnam,  (still 
dreaming  of  the  capture  of  New  York),  had  detained  a  part 
of  the  forces  dispatched  by  Gates;  and  even  marched  them 
to  Tarrytown,  and  had  himself  advanced  as  far  as  White 
Plains,  on  his  favorite  project.|| 

Col.  Hamilton,  now,  by  the  advice  of  Gov.  Clinton,  as- 
snmed  the  authority  of  issuing  a  peremptory  order  to  Putnam, 
to  put  the  continental  troops  in  motion,  for  the  camp  at  White 
Marsh.1T 

The  complaints  of  Col.  Hamilton,  of  the  "  blunders  and  ca- 
prices of  Putnam,"  were  so  severe,  that  it  was  rumored  at 
head  quarters,  that  he  would  be  arrested  on  his  arrival,  for 
disobedience  of  orders;  but  however  provoked  on  the  occa- 
casion,  the  Commander-in-Chief  did  not  visit  the  offence 
with  such  heavy  retribution. 

t  Hamilton's  letters  to  Washington.  J  Idem. 

§  Hamilton's  letter.  ||  Lamb  papers. 

^[  Hamilton's  letters. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMR  101 

The  sailing  of  the  fleet  from  New  York  with  reinforce- 
ments to  the  Delaware,  relieved  the  mind  of  Gen.  Gates  of 
the  fear  of  invasion  at  Albany;  and  he  was  instructed  by- 
Congress  to  take  command  in  the  Highlands,  while  Putnam, 
with  twenty -five  hundred  men,  including  Morgan's  corps, 
were  to  strengthen  Washington  and  the  main  army.  The 
Commander-in-Chief  was  now  at  the  head  of  a  very  formida- 
ble force,  and  wished  to  provoke  the  enemy  to  offer  battle.* 
The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Major  Piatt,  aid-de- 
camp of  Gen.  McDougall,  exhibits  the  feelings  of  the  army 

on  the  subject : 

Head  Quarters,  White  Marsh,  ) 
13  miles  from  Philadelphia,  29th  Nov.,  1777.      \ 

"  We  have  now  the  most  formidable  army  ever  on  foot  on 
the  American  establishment ;  and  I  dare  pledge  my  life  there 
are  not  more  than  twelve  thousand  continental  troops,  and 
about  twenty-five  hundred  or  three  thousand  militia.  It  has 
been  Gen.  Washington's  misfortune,  the  most  of  this  cam- 
paign, to  be  inferior  in  numbers  to  the  enemy;  which  has 
been  the  reason  of  his  not  risking  what  he  otherwise  would 
have  wished.  Thank  God,  we  are  now  superior  to  the  ene- 
my in  the  field.  And  they,  conscious  of  our  superiority,  have 
fortified  from  Delaware  to  Schuylkill. 

They  have  thrown  up  very  strong  lines  across,  and  besides 
these,  ten  or  twelve  very  strong  redoubts,  ditched,  friezed, 
picketed  and  abbatied;  every  one  of  which  cross  fire,  and 
flank  their  lines.  All  these  redoubts  are  within  the  space 
of  one  and  a  half  or  two  miles;  the  distance  from  river  to 
river  being  not  greater. 

Judge,  then,  whether  an  attack  will  take  place  from  our 
army  this  winter.     My  sentiments  are  the  reverse. 
I  am,  D'r.  Col., 
With  esteem,  Your  humble  serv., 

Rich.  Platt. 

P.  S.  My  respects  to  the  worthy  officers  with  you.  For 
your  comfort  I  can  tell  you  that  old  Daddy  Putnam  is  ordered 
on  to  the  main  army,  and  a  trial  is  inevitable.     God  speed  it.f 

General  Knox  also  corroborated  the  opinion  of  Major 
Platt,  in  regard  to  the  enemy's  works  ;  and  it  is  a  pity  that 
*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


192  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

the  strength  of  the  lines  was  too  great,  to  have  permitted  an 
attempt  to  force  him  to  action.  That  gentleman  writes  as 
follows  : 

Camp  White  March,  2d  December,  1777. 
Dear  Sir : 

It  is  some  time  since  I  had  the  pleasure  to  hear  from  you 
(I  think  the  "  4th  November,"  by  Capt.  Wool) ,  and  which 
I  believe  I  have  never  answered,  owing  to  the  hurry  of 
business,  and  want  of  opportunity.  Captain  Wool  was  to 
have  called  upon  me,  but  if  he  did  call,  I  was  absent. 

I  shall  wish  to  see  you  this  winter,  in  order  to  know 
whether  there  are  any  regulations  necessary  to  be  adopted 
in  the  corps  of  artillery,  which  I  may  have  omitted  in  my 
memorandums. 

The  enemy  have  at  last  got  possession  of  the  navigation 
of  the  river,  altho'  they  have  not  yet  been  able  to  raise  the 
chevaux  de  frize  :  but  have  found  out  a  new  channel  be- 
tween the  islands  :  made  by  the  middle  of  the  river,  being 
stopped  by  the  chevaux  de  frize. 

The  defence  of  Fort  Mifflin  was  as  gallant  as  is  to  be 
found  in  history.  Capt.-Lieutenant  Treat,  one  of  the  most 
promising  and  best  of  young  officers,  was  killed.  He  had 
the  command  of  the  artillery  on  the  island.  Captain  Lee 
has  acquired  great  reputation  in  the  defence  of  the  fort. 
The  last  day  of  the  siege,  his  company  suffered  much.  His 
first  lieutenant,  two  sergeants,  and  three  privates  killed. 
Nine  wounded,  some  of  them  mortally.  The  fire  the  last 
day  of  the  siege,  exceeded  by  far,  any  thing  ever  seen  in 
America.  The  enemy  had  five  batteries  on  Province  island 
of  18s,  24s  and  32  pounders  at  500  yards  distance  :  Besides 
these,  they  brought  up  by  the  new  channel,  the  large  float- 
ing battery  which  was  cut  down  in  New  York,  mounting 
22  twenty-four  pounders  within  forty  yards  of  an  angle  of 
the  battery  on  Mud  Island.  Four  sixty-four  gun  ships  with- 
in about  nine  hundred  yards,  and  two  forty  gun  ships.  The 
incessant  fire  of  these,  joined  with  the  fire  of  our  floating 
batteries  and  gondolas,  formed  a  scene  truly  picturesque,  of 
the  horrors  and  grandeur  of  war.  The  fire  began  at  ten  in 
the  morning,  and  lasted  till  late  in  the  night.  The  brave 
little  garrison,  then  commanded  by  Major  Thayer,  of  the 
Rhode  Island  troops,  had  but  two  cannon  but  what  was 
dismounted.  These  soon  shared  the  fate  of  the  others  : 
Every  body  who   appeared  on  the  platform  were  killed  or 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  193 

wounded  by  the  musketry  from  the  tops  of  the  ships  ;  whose 
yards  almost  hung  over  the  battery.  Long  before  night, 
there  was  not  a  single  palisade  left.  All  the  embrazures 
ruined,  and  the  whole  parapet  levelled.  All  the  block  houses 
had  been  battered  down  some  days  before.  Things  being  in 
this  situation,  the  brave  garrison  finding  no  kind  of  shelter, 
were  ordered  to  evacuate  the  place  :  which  they  did,  with- 
out any  loss,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  having  first 
burnt  the  barracks,  and  brought  off  the  stores. 

"  The  enemy  have  fortified  themselves  with  fourteen  strong 
redoubts,  friezed  and  palisaded  with  strong  abbattis,  run- 
ning from  one  redoubt  to  the  other.  We  exceedingly  wish 
them  to  come  out  and  give  us  battle;  but  I  believe,  that  tho' 
this  is  an  event  they  threaten,  and  we  wish,  it  will  not  hap- 
pen. So  I  suppose  the  time  is  not  far  off,  when  we  shall  en- 
deavor to  get  some  kind  of  winter  quarters.  The  men  being 
badly  clothed,  and  in  a  great  manner  destitute  of  blankets, 
render  a  winter's  campaign  impossible. 

Please  to  write  me  the  intended  operations  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river. 

I  am,  my  Dear  Sir, 

Yr.  most  Hble  Servt. 

H.  Knox.* 

Col.  Lamb. 

The  gallantry  displayed  at  Mud  Island,  particularly  by 
the  Artillery,  which  was  from  his  regiment,  was  very  grati- 
fying to  Col.  Lamb.  But  the  loss  of  the  officer  who  com- 
manded it,  a  very  excellent  subaltern  of  his  own  regiment, 
was  sincerely  regretted. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc, 


25 


194  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Gates'  Apology  for  Capitulation.— Lamb  at  Albany.— Letter  of  Doughty 
— Lee's  Dragoons. — Artillery  ordered  to  the  River. — Orders  counter- 
manded by  Putnam. — Major  Meigs's  Letter. — Court  of  Enquiry  res- 
pecting Loss  of  Highland  Forts. — Artillery  again  ordered  to  the  River 
— Lamb  to  command — to  march  to  Valley  Forge. — Oswald's  Letter. — 
Philadelphia  evacuated. — Order  to  march  countermanded. — Gates 
commands  in  Highlands. — Vexatious  Interference. — General  Order. — 
Supercedes  the  Commander  of  Artillery. — Remonstrance  of  Lamb. — 
Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress. — Commander  in  Chief. — Colonel 
Malcom.— Battle  of  Monmouth. — Letter  of  Knox. — Design  on  New 
York. — Artillery  to  White  Plains. — Letter  to  Gov.  Trumbull. — Dis- 
pute of  Rank  with  Col.  Harrison. — Settled  in  favor  of  Lamb. 

Gen.  Gates  in  his  apology  for  the  convention  with  Bur- 
goyne,  had  made  the  loss  of  the  forts  in  the  Highlands,  a 
very  prominent  consideration  to  that  measure;  and  Congress 
seemed  to  consider  the  recovery  of  these,  as  of  the  last"  im- 
portance. The  Commander  in  Chief,  was  therefore  informed 
of  the  light  in  which  they  viewed  the  repossession  of  those 
passes,  and  Gen.  Gates,  was  clothed  with  plenary  powers  to 
make  such  dispositions  for  the  defences  of  the  Hudson  river, 
as  he  thought  proper.*  Col.  Lamb  was  in  command  of  the 
artillery  on  the  river,  and  in  order  to  forward  the  prepara- 
tions of  his  department,  he  went  to  Albany,!  to  hasten  the 
equipments.  While  there,  Gen.  Knox  passed  through  Fish- 
kill  on  his  way  to  Boston,  and  made  a  new  arrangement  of 
the  regiment,  by  which  some  companies  doing  duty  with  it, 
were  assigned  to  Proctor's  battalion.  Four  companies  of 
his  command  were  now  at  headquarters,  and  Lieut. -Col.  Os- 
wald was  directed  to  take  the  command  of  them  there. J 
These,  in  the  mean  time,  in  the  absence  of  superior  officers, 

*  Journals  Congress.  tLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  195 

were  in  charge  of  Capt.  Doughty,  who  had  been  promoted 
to  the  company  formerly  Hamilton's,  and  which  had  been 
annexed  by  Gen.  Knox  to  Lamb's  regiment.  In  making  his 
return  to  his  superior  officer,  Capt.  D.  mentions  an  affair 
not  noticed  in  many  of  the  histories  of  the  time,  which,  with 
his  reflections  thereon,  deserve  to  be  extracted.* 

"  We  have  no  news  at  present,  and  have  remained  in 
peace  and  quietness,  except  a  small  alarm  we  had  a  few 
days  ago;  which  I  dare  say  you  have  heard  of  before  this; 
but  lest  you  should  not,  as  it  is  a  credit  to  our  arms,  I  will 
trespass  upon  your  patience  in  informing  you  of  it.  On  the 
19th  instant,  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  horse,  supposed  to  be 
near  two  hundred,  after  a  circuitous  march  on  the  preced- 
ing night,  attempted  to  surprise,  at  day-break,  a  party  of  our 
horse,  under  command  of  Captain  Lee,  which  forms  our 
most  advanced  post;  but  unhappily  for  these  bravadoes,  this 
truly  good  officer  observing  their  intentions;  his  retreat  be- 
ing dangerous,  betook  himself,  with  the  small  party  then 
with  him,  consisting  of  a  sub.  sergt.  corpl.  and  six  men,  to  a 
large  store  house;  and  there,  by  his  superior  address  and 
bravery,  withstood  the  repeated  attacks  of  so  superior  a  num- 
ber; and  after  supporting  the  conflict  for  some  time,  made 
these  gentry  relinquish  their  plan,  and  retreat  with  disgrace 
and  confusion;  leaving  six  dead  on  the  field.  Capt.  Lee's 
loss  was  but  trifling,  none  but  his  lieutenant  being  wounded. 

I  assure  you,  nothing  can  reflect  more  honor  on  the  cha- 
racter of  a  soldier,  than  Capt.  Lee's  behavior  on  this  occa- 
sion; and  when  added  to  his  former  services,  entitle  him  to 
the  esteem  of  every  soldier;  whilst  at  the  same  time,  it  teaches 
us  young  soldiers,  that  it  is  not  numbers  that  ensure  us  suc- 
cess; and  that  a  few  good,  determined  fellows,  will  execute, 
what  a  thousand  dastardly  wretches,  would  tremble  at  at- 
tempting. 

My  best  wishes  for  your  health,  and  happiness  always  at- 

*  Lamb  papers,     N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


196  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

tend  you.     I  beg  you  will  make  my  best  respects  to  Col. 
Oswald,  and  believe  me  with 

The  greatest  respect, 
Your  mo.  ob.  serv., 

Jno,  Doughty. 
Park  of  Artillery,  27th  Jan'y,  1778. 
Col.  John  Lamb. 

In  compliance  with  orders  from  head  quarters,  Col.  Lamb 
dispatched  one  of  his  companies  to  bring  to  the  river  certain 
artillery,  near  the  Connecticut  line,  which  might  have  been 
of  service  in  his  defences;  but  he  was  thwarted  in  his  de- 
sign by  the  pertinacity  of  Gen.  Putnam.  Col.  Meigs,  in 
whose  charge  the  pieces  were  left,  in  refusing  to  permit  them 
to  be  removed,  sent  the  following  excuse  : 

Harrison's  Purchase,  Jan'y  28,  1777  [1778]. 

Dear  Colonel : 

I  have  just  received  your  favor  by  Capt.  Wool,  who  is  ar- 
rived with  a  detachment  to  remove  the  artillery.  I  am  sorry 
to  inform  you  that  I  have  received  an  order  from  Gen.  Put- 
nam, not  to  permit  the  removal  of  any  of  the  artillery  or  men 
without  his  express  order.  It  seems  that  the  General  had 
intimation  of  your  sending  for  the  artillery.  You  will  excuse 
me,  sir,  for  detaining  them,  as  I  have  the  General's  orders 
therefor.  For  my  part,  I  wish  they  were  removed,  and  have 
thought  of  removing  them  to  Stanwich,  six  miles  from 
Horseneck,  where  forage  may  be  had  for  the  horses.  I  have 
not  the  least  use  for  the  artillery,  except  the  grass  hoppers, 
and  am,  sir,  with  esteem, 

Your  most  obed.  servant, 

Return  Jona.  Meigs. 
Col.  Command't* 

Col.  Lamb. 

Congress  having  passed  a  resolve  to  entrust  the  fortifica- 
tion and  defences  of  the  North  River  to  Governor  George 
Clinton,  directed  the  cannon  ordered  from  Ticonderoga,  to  be 
put  at  the  requisition  of  that  officer:  and  Col.  Lamb  being 
called  to  his  family  upon  some  pressing  emergency,  left  the 
camp  at  Fishkill  for  Southington.  While  there,  he  received 
a  letter  from  Brigadier-General  Huntington,  inviting  him  to 

*  iamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB.  197 

attend  a  Court  of  Enquiry  at  West  Point,  to  investigate  the 
causes  of  the  loss  of  the  Highland  Forts.  The  reasons  for  his 
absence  continuing,  he  did  not  attend  the  court,  and  missed  the 
opportunity  of  seeing  Gen.  Knox  on  his  return  from  Boston; 
who  being  under  pressing  orders  to  return  to  head  quarters, 
left  instructions  relative  to  the  department,  and  announced 
that  Gen.  McDougall  was  to  supersede  Putnam  in  the  com- 
mand of  the  Highlands!.  That  General  had  hardly  assumed 
his  station,  when  Congress  directed  Gen.  GatesJ  to  Fishkill, 
with  orders  to  hurry  on  the  fortification  of  the  passes,  agree- 
ably to  their  former  resolves.  While  his  brief  command 
lasted,  Gen.  McDougall  dispatched  the  following  letter, 
which  soon  brought  Col.  Lamb  to  the  camp  : 

Head  Quarters,  April  4th,  1778. 
Sir: 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  25th  ultimo,  respecting  the 
Court  of  Enquiry.  I  wish  you  had  attended  it,  especially  as 
General  Huntington  advised  you  of  it  being  to  be  held. 

The  state  of  your  Corps,  and  the  public  service,  requires 
your  attendance  and  Col.  Oswald's,  without  delay;  ibr  I  have 
reason  to  fear  a  visit  from  the  enemy  very  soon.  Time  will 
only  permit  me  to  add  that  I  am 

Your  humble  servant, 

Alex'r  McDougall.§ 
Col.  Lamb. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Fishkill,  he  received  a  letter  from 
Gen.  Knox,  by  Gen.  Greene,  the  Quarter  Master  General, 
directing  him  to  make  arrangements  for  the  transportation 
of  all  the  artillery  and  stores  at  Farmington,  some  of  the 
heaviest  guns  on  the  river,  and  the  two  twenty-four  pounders 
at  Albany  taken  from  Burgoyne,  to  head  quarters;  and  in 
this  letter  was  an  answer  to  his  pressing  request  to  be  ordered 
into  field  service  in  the  following  words  :  "  As  it  is  your  de- 
sire you  are  to  take  command  of  all  the  artillery  mentioned, 
and  march  them  to  head  quarters  by  such  route  as  Gen. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 

t  Journals  Congress.  $  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc 


198  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Greene  shall  point  out  to  you.     Major  Stephens  (Stevens) 
will  command  the  artillery  on  the  River."* 

The  utmost  dispatch  was  made  to  comply  with  this  requi- 
sition; and  if  anything  could  add  celerity  to  his  motions,  it 
was  a  letter  received  from  Oswald,  already  with  the  compa- 
nies at  head  quarters,  of  the  following  import : 

Artillery  Park,  Camp  Valley  Forge,  ( 
15th  May,  1778.  \ 
"  Our  army  is  now  very  formidable,  but  not  such  as  ena- 
bles Gen.  Washington  to  attack  the  enemy  in  Phila.  which 
manoeuvre  I  believe  is  in  contemplation,  and  will  be  carried 
into  execution,  as  soon  as  we  are  in  a  situation  to  do  it. 
Reinforcements  have  lately  arrived — a  few  more  will  give 
us  superiority  of  our  enemy."f 

Notwithstanding  every  effort  of  Col.  Lamb  to  hasten  his 
departure  for  camp,  unavoidable  delays  protracted  his  desire; 
and  while  he  was  sanguine  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to 
share  in  the  intended  battle,  he  received  the  following  letter 
which  effectually  put  an  end  to  his  expectations. 

Artillery  Park,  Valley  Forge,  2  June,  1778. 

Dear  Sir  : 

The  enemy  have  been  for  some  time  past,  preparing  to 
evacuate  Philadelphia,  and  we  are  in  hourly  expectation  of 
that  event  taking  place.  Under  this  appearance  of  things, 
the  march  of  the  artillery  which  you  were  directed  to  bring 
here  would  be  entirely  useless. 

His  Excellency,  General  Washington,  has  ordered  me  to 
have  it  halted  at  some  distance  from  the  North  river.  I 
think  Litchfield  would  be  a  proper  place  for  that  purpose  : 
But  if  you  have  not  yet  moved  it  from  Farmington,  I  leave 
it  to  you,  to  halt,  either  at  Litchfield,  or  Farmington,  until 
further  orders. 

The  enemy  intend  taking  their  route  through  the  lower 
part  of  the  Jersies  to  South  Amboy  and  Staten  Island.  Our 
army  will  march  in  different  divisions  to  the  North  river. 
His  Excellency  is  somewhat  apprehensive  that  the  enemy 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  199 

may  have  a  design  to  get  possession  of  the  passes  of  the 
river  ;  and  thinks  our  force  there  inadequate  to  prevent  ef- 
fecting it  with  their  whole  force.  Therefore  he  wishes  the 
artillery  to  be  at  a  distance.  The  artillery  from  Albany  is 
also  to  be  halted  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 

I  am  dear  sir  your 
Most  Humble  servant, 

H.  Knox.* 
Col.  Lamb. 

General  Gates  had  now  taken  the  command  in  the  High- 
lands ;  and  if  any  vexations,  or  inconvenience  had  been 
suffered  while  Putnam  was  in  power,  they  were  not  likely 
to  be  decreased  during  the  rule  of  a  commander,  more  suc- 
cessful in  his  intrigues  with  Congress  even,  than  in  the  field, 
where  he  had  gathered  a  harvest  he  had  not  sown,  in  the 
northern  campaign.  He  had  shown  little  disposition  to  ac- 
commodate Colonel  Lamb  or  the  public  service  ;  refusing 
his  request  that  part  of  one  of  his  companies  at  Fort  Schuy- 
ler, might  be  relieved  by  a  detachment  from  the  corps  under 
Major  Stevens  at  Albany .f  The  reason  assigned  for  refu- 
sal, was  avowedly  for  the  purpose  of  gratifying  Major  S.  in 
not  separating  his  men  by  detaching  part  of  them  on  that 
service.  This  gentleman  had  been  appointed  a  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  infantry,  30th  April,  by  brevet,  and  a  subsequent 
order  assigned  him  to  the  artillery,  on  the  first  vacancy 
which  should  occur  :  and  soon  after  Gates  had  taken  com- 
mand at  Fishkill,  a  general  order  was  issued  by  him,  ap- 
pointing Major  Stevens,  as  by  order  of  Congress  and  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  to  the  command  of 
the  Artillery  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  Department.}  This 
appointment  of  a  junior  officer,  over  a  superior  who  had 
been  once  designated  as  commander  of  artillery  over  the 
northern  department ;  and  who  had  exercised  the  functions 
of  that  branch  of  service  with  acknowledged  ability  in  the 
Middle  :  particularly  in  favor  of  one  who  had  been  origin- 
ally considered  as  belonging  to  his  regiment,  could  not  fail 

*  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  J  Gate's  general  order. 


200  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

to  be  extremely  unpalatable  to  Colonel  Lamb  ;  and  he  was 
therefore  not  backward  in  expressing  his  indignation.  He 
wrote  to  the  President  of  Congress  in  the  following  terms* 

Farmington,  4  July,  1778* 
Honored  Sir: 

Enclosed  you  have  an  extract  from  Gen.  Gates's  orders, 
bearing  date  the  4th  June,  by  which  it  appears,  that  I  am 
superseded  in  the  command  of  the  artillery  in  the  middle  de- 
partment, by  an  inferior  officer. 

As  I  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  the  justice  of  Congress, 
to  suppose  that  they  have  designedly  cast  such  unmerited  re- 
flection upon  me;  or  would  give  their  sanction  to  so  flagrant 
an  act  of  injustice;  I  have  (tho' reluctantly)  ventured  to  trou- 
ble you  on  this  disagreeable  subject,  and  to  request  that  you 
will  be  pleased  to  honor  me,  with  a  line,  and  enclose  me  a 
copy  of  the  resolve,  respecting  Col.  Stevens's  appointment. 
I  am, 

Most  Respectfully, 

Your  Honor's 

Most  ob't  servant, 

John  Lamb* 
Hon'ble  John  Hancock. 

He  also  wrote  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  to  Gen. 
Knox,  remonstrating  against  the  injustice,  and  was  fully  re- 
solved to  resist  the  palpable  flagrancy  of  so  unmilitary  a  pro- 
ceeding.! His  disgust  at  these  proceedings,  were  not  less* 
ened  on  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Mott  at  Farmington,  with  his 
company,  ordered  from  Fishkill,  to  relieve  a  company  sta* 
tioned  there,  that  they  might  march  to  camp,  in  order  to  in 
crease  the  command  of  Lieut. -Col.  Stevens  at  that  place.J 
The  following  letter  to  Col.  Malcom,  Adjutant-General  of 
Gates  army,  was  written  on  the  spur  of  the  last  aggression; 
and  is  characteristic  of  a  man^  jealous  of  his  rights,  and  re- 
solved to  maintain  them: 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  201 

Farmington,  4  July,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  25th  ult.,  (per  Capt.  Mott),  came  duly 
to  hand;  the  contents  of  which,  I  must  confess,  astonished 
me  to  the  last  degree.  What  in  the  Devil's  name,  could  in- 
duce Gen.  Gates  to  order  Capt.  Mott's  company  upwards  of 
ninety  miles,  (to  relieve  Capt.  Buckland's),  in  extreme  hot 
weather,  to  the  prejudice  of  their  health,  and  manifest  in- 
jury to  the  publick  service?  Is  it  because  we  have  too  great 
a  number  of  troops  in  the  American  army,  and  therefore  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  take  some  of  them  off  by  murdering 
them  with  sickness?  No!  I  do  not  suppose  this  to  be  the 
reason,  but  that  the  General  was  inclined,  partially,  to  favor 
Stevens,  by  collecting  his  corps  together;  and  thus  insult  me, 
by  maltreating  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  are  under  my 
command. 

If  he  has  any  particular  pique  or  spleen  against  me,  it 
would  redound  much  more  to  his  honor,  to  have  manifested  it 
to  me  personally,  than  to  wreak  his  resentment  against  the 
officers  and  men.  I  am  no  stranger,  (I  assure  you)  to  Gen. 
Gates's  partiality  in  favor  of  Col.  Stevens,  as  it  but  too  evi- 
dently appeared,  on  my  application  to  him,  respecting  his  or- 
dering part  of  Stevens's  corps,  to  relieve  that  part  of  Walker's 
company,  (of  my  reg't)  which  are  now  at  Fort  Schuyler; 
this  he  declined  doing,  altho'  the  public  service  demanded  it, 
(as  they  were  one  hundred  miles  nearer  that  post),  and  put 
me  off  in  the  most  trifling  manner,  by  saying  that  Stevens 
would  choose  to  have  his  corps  together;  as  if  less  attention 
ought  to  be  paid  to  the  application  of  a  superior  officer,  than 
to  that  of  an  inferior. 

I  am  just  now  furnished  with  an  extract  from  general  or- 
ders of  the  4th  June,  that  strikes  immediately  at  me;  and  by 
which,  I  conceive  myself  insulted  in  the  grossest,  and  most 
barefaced  manner,  viz:  "  that  Lieut.-Col.  Ebenezer  Stevens, 
by  the  direction  of  Congress,  and  the  approbation  of  His  Ex- 
cellency, Gen.  Washington,  is  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  artillery  of  the  northern,  and  middle  department."  This 
is  the  height  of  absurdity;  for  it  would  be  ridiculous  to  sup- 
pose that  Congress,  and  Gen.  Washington,  would  give  their 
sanction  to  a  measure  so  inconsistent  with  all  military  rule, 
and  order,  as  to  direct  an  inferior  officer  to  command  a  su- 
perior; I  have  written  to  Congress,  and  His  Excellency,  re- 
specting this  matter,  and  have  transmitted  them  a  copy  of 

26 


202  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  order.     I  shall  wait  their  answer  before  I  take  any  steps 
in  consequence  of  it. 

Good  Heavens !  if  this  be  the  base,  and  cruel  treatment  we 
are  to  meet  with,  for  sacrificing  our  property,  destroying  our 
health,  risquing  our  lives,  and  bleeding  in  the  defence  of  our 
country;  it  is  high  time  for  every  man  of  spirit,  to  quit  a 
service,  where  superior  officers  may  insult  with  impunity,  and 
where  mal-treatment  is  to  be  the  only  reward  we  are  to  re- 
ceive, for  bravely  doing  our  duty  as  officers,  and  soldiers.  I 
flatter  myself,  however,  that  it  will  not  be  many  days  before 
I  shall  again  act  in  the  line  of  a  private  citizen;  when  I  shall 
dare  to  call  to  a  severe  account,  those  who  have  injured  or  in- 
sulted me,  let  their  characters,  or  rank  in  life,  be  what  they 
will.     I  have  not  to  add,  being, 

Dear  Sir,  Yours,  &c, 

Col.  Malcom.  John  Lamb.* 

The  battle  anticipated,  in  public  expectation,  on  the  re- 
treat of  the  British  from  Philadelphia,  had  been  fought,  and 
Washington  was  pressing  onward  for  the  North  River.  The 
hopes  which  Col.  Lamb  indulged  of  sharing  in  this  battle, 
were  disappointed;  but  next  to  a  successful  participation  in 
an  action  so  honorable  to  the  American  name;  he  was  gra- 
tified by  the  applause  gained  by  his  brother  in  arms,  Oswald, 
who  with  Banmans,  Doughty,  Mansfield,  and  Bliss's  compa- 
nies of  the  regiment,  performed  signal  service;!  and  acquired 
new  claims  to  the  confidence  of  their  superiors;  as  will  ap- 
pear by  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Knox, 
written  some  days  after  the  battle: 

"  19th  July,  1778. 
I  this  morning  received  your  favor  of  the  4th  instant; 
I  am  very  sorry  for  the  circumstances  which  very  justly  have 
given  you  such  disgust;  but  I  hope  upon  joining  the 
army,  they  will  be  all  removed  to  your  entire  satisfaction. 
I  shall  deliver  your  letter  to  his  Excellency,  and  that  to  Col. 
Oswald:  who  is  one  of  the  best  officers  of  the  army,  and  an 
acquisition  to  the  corps  of  artillery.  I  thank  you  for  your 
congratulations  on  the  affair  of  the  28th.  Our  corps,  as 
usual,  did  themselves  the  justice  to  behave  like  men,  con- 
tending in  the  great  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country."! 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem,  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  203 

Another  testimony  to  the  merits  of  Col.  Oswald  is  to  be 
found  in  a  letter  of  Gen.  Lee,  of  33  July,  1778,  to  the  Trenton 
Gazette.  u  The  behavior  of  the  whole,  both  men  and  offi- 
cers, was  so  equally  good,  that  it  wrould  be  unjust  to  make 
discriminations;  though  I  confess  it  is  difficult  to  refrain 
from  paying  compliments  to  the  artillery,  from  Gen.  Knox, 
and  Col.  Oswald,  down  to  the  very  drivers." 

The  same  letter  contained  pressing  injunctions  to  hasten 
on  the  artillery  to  White  Plains.  Col.  Lamb  lost  no  time  in 
accomplishing  his  orders.  In  obedience  to  which  he  wrote 
to  Governor  Trumbull  of  Connecticut  in  the  following 
terms  :* 

Farmington,  22d  July,  1778. 
Sir: 

It  being  his  Excellency  Gen.  Washington's  orders,  that 
great  part  of  the  artillery  at  this  place  be  immediately  moved 
to  White  Plains,  and  a  guard  of  militia  procured  for  its  secu- 
rity on  the  way.  I  have  thought  proper  to  send  the  bearer, 
Lieut.  Strachan,  to  your  excellency,  to  request  your  ordering 
one  hundred  of  the  militia,  (including  officers,)  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

As  it  is  highly  probable  that  Gen.  Washington  has  some- 
thing serious  and. important  in  contemplation,  and  means  to 
act  in  conjunction  with  the  French  squadron  which  is  now 
off  Sandy  Hook;  and  being  apprehensive  that  his  intended 
operations  may  be  retarded  for  want  of  the  artillery;  I  must 
entreat  your  excellency,  to  give  the  necessary  orders  for  the 
above  mentioned  number  of  militia,  to  march  immediately 
to  this  place.  I  shall  be  happy  to  be  honored  with  a  line 
from  you,  and  am,  with  the  greatet  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obd't.  Humb.  Serv't. 

John  Lamb-I 

His  Excellency,  Governor  Trumbull. 

Col.  Lamb  had  not  reached  the  Park  at  camp,  before  he 
was  apprised  that  more  vexations  waited  him,  growing  out 
of  that  fruitful  source  of  contention  "  relative  rank."J    Capt. 

*  Lamb  papers.  tldem.  }  Idem. 


204  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Mott,  with  two  of  his  companies,  had  preceded  him  by  a 
single  day;  and  was  apprised  that  seniority  was  claimed  by 
Col.  Harrison,  of  Virginia.  This  point  had  been  mooted  at 
Valley  Forge,  and  the  difficulty  was  then  obviated  by  regi- 
mental musters.*  At  White  Plains,  Col.  Harrison  assumed  the 
same  pretensions,  and  Capt.  Mott,  who  was  as  jealous  of  the 
honor  of  the  regiment  as  his  superior;  and  was  unwilling 
to  establish  any  precedent  against  it,  neglected  to  muster  his 
companies  at  the  general  parade;  receiving  from  the  com- 
manding officer  of  artillery  in  the  camp,  an  admonition  on 
the  occasion.  On  the  arrival  of  Col.  Lamb,  he  addressed  a 
letter  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  on  the  12th  August,  re- 
questing that  a  board  of  officers  might  be  appointed,  to  set- 
tle the  disputed  precedence,  which  could  not  be  immediately 
accorded,  but  which  afterwards  met,  and  the  matter  was 
satisfactorily  adjusted  in  his  favor.f 

*  Lamb  papers.         t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF   JOHN  LAMB.  205 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Consequences  of  the  Battle  of  Monmouth. — Gates  Faction. — Meditated 
Attack  on  New  York. — Confidence  of  Success. — Letter  of  Malcom.-— 
Of  Secretary  of  Congress.— Of  Gen.  Lovel.— Gates's  General  Order  un- 
authorized.— Oswald  resigns. — Camp  at  White  Plains   breaks  up. 

Distress  of  the  Men. — Mott's  Letter. — Lamb  left  in  command  of  the 
Artillery  on  the  River. — Design  on  Canada. — Relinquished.— Army 
concentrated  in  the  Highlands. — Letter  of  Du  Simitiere. — "  The  Sta- 
tue."— Lieut. -Col.  Stevens  appointed  to  Lamb's  Regiment. — Supine- 
nessof  Congress. — Of  the  People. — Letter  of  Gov.  Clinton. — Of  Sears. 
—1778,  1779. 

The  Gates  faction  were  at  first  extremely  elated  at  the  re- 
sult of  the  affair  of  Monmouth,  and  the  consequent  arrest  of 
Lee;  hoping  that  the  combined  influence  of  both  the  factious 
generals,  would  be  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  triumph  over 
Washington.  But  the  "monster  party"  had  received  its 
death  blow  in  Congress;  and  the  tide  of  public  opinion,  re- 
ceived a  new  and  proper  impulse,  from  the  bold  measures  of 
the  commander-in-chief.  The  star  of  the  northern  hero,  as  his 
friends  were  fond  of  calling  him,  was  no  longer  lord  of  the 
ascendant;  and  with  its  wane,  began  to  decline  his  malig- 
nant influence  in  the  army. 

When  the  army  took  post  at  White  Plains,  it  was  ex- 
pected that  an  attack  would  have  been  made  upon  New  York 
with  the  cooperation  of  the  French  fleet,  which  had  recently 
arrived  at  the  Hook.  But  Count  D'Estaing,  apprehending 
difficulty  in  crossing  the  bar  with  some  of  his  ships,  which 
were  of  unusual  size,  relinquished  the  design  of  cooperation, 
and  the  attempt  on  the  city  was  postponed.* 

So  confident  were  the  hopes  of  the  capture  of  the  metro- 
polis, that  it  was  considered  as  actually  in  our  possession; 

*  Marshall. 


206  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  plans  were  in  agitation  to  prevent  the  restoration  of  the 
lukewarm  and  loyalist  factions,  to  the  supremacy  which  had 
exercised  such  dangerous  influence,  in  1774,  and  1775. 

The  following  letter  from  Col.  Malcom,  will  exhibit  the 
apprehensions  which  were  felt  on  the  occasion;  and  the  com- 
binations which  were  relied  on,  to  counterpoise  the  mis- 
chievous influences  anticipated. 

July  25,  1778. 

Dear  Sir  : 

•  In  all  human  probability,  the  enemy  will  soon  leave  York. 
That  will  open  a  scene,  which  will  require  perhaps  equal 
exertions  with  any  that  whigs  have  yet  been  called  to.  A 
thousand  stratagems  are  already  formed,  to  prostrate  all  the 
fruits  of  our  toils  and  dangers.  Aristocracy  will  rear  its 
head,  ere  our  great  ones  are  one  week  peaceably  settled  in 
the  metropolis;  and  Tories,  Paracides,  of  every  rank,  will  be 
pardoned,  countenanced,  and  protected,  to  strengthen  the 
hands  of  that  party.  It's  time  to  look  out.  You  know  there 
(are)  but  few,  that  will  take  the  labouring  oar,  tho'  many 
that  will  follow,  and  shove  along.  I  wish  you  and  Col. 
Hughes  were  here.  Col.  Troup*  waits  with  me  to  hear  from 
you.  I  hope  you  can  come;  but  if  anything  absolutely  pre- 
vents, do  pray  write  at  large.  Converse  with  H.  H.  (Col. 
Hughes);  propose,  and  give  us  by  him,  a  plan  to  begin  on. 
Make  a  catalogue  of  such  men  as  occur  to  you,  that  we  may 
form  an  early  association.  I  will  not  even  suggest  to  your 
wise  head,  because  I  look  to  you. 
In  haste, 
Y'rs  affectionately, 

W.  Malcom. 
Colonel  Lamb. 

Another  letter  from  the  same  gentleman,  who  had  acted 
for  a  short  time  as  adjutant-general  of  Gates's  army,  will 
serve  to  show  the  negligence  which  prevailed  in  the  middle 
department. 

*Fort  Arnold,  Aug.  2,  1778. 

Dr  Sir  : 

A  few  days  before  I  left  the  camp,  I  rec'd  a  packet  from 

*  Gen.  Gates's  aid. 

*  This  was  the  name  given  to  the  first  fortification  at  West  Point. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  207 

you,  not  a  line  in  it  for  my  perusal.  The  enclosures  were 
forwarded;  and  a  few  days  brought  me  your  letter  of  the  4th 
ult,  which  by  mistake  went  to  Gen.  Knox — no  great  matter 
— and  I  dare  say,  has  had  the  honor  of  a  reading  at  head 
quarters. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  being  now  on  the  ground,  will 
procure  you,  I  dare  say,  deliverance  from  all  the  grievances 
complained  of  in  your  letter.  I  lament  very  much  the  occa- 
sion of  them,  for  a  variety  of  reasons. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  General,  I  was  sent  to  this  command; 
which  I  found  in  just  as  bad  order,  as  even  your  imagination 
can  conceive.  Will  you  believe,  that  there  was  not  one 
pound  of  meat  in  the  garrison  of  any  kind;  and  but  two 
hundred  barrels  of  flour — altho'  General  Glover  told  me 
every  thing  was  complete.  If  the  enemy  do  come,  I  shall 
fight  them  in  the  field,  which  is  my  only  chance.  The  works 
are  not  worth  a  farthing;  but  I  flatter  myself  they  will  never 
more  pass  Dobb's  Ferry. 

I  have  now  some  spare  time,  which  I  will  devote  to  cor- 
respond with  my  friends.  I  hope  to  hear  from  you  when  op- 
portunity offers. 

I  hoped  the  army  would  have  attempted  York  when  united; 
but  I  think  there  are  other  objects — perhaps  for  the  best. 
Great  men  another  year. 

My  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Lamb  and  family,  and  believe  me, 
y'rs  affectionately, 

W.  Malcom.* 
Colonel  Lamb. 

Agreeably  to  the  request  made  to  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  13th,  a  board  of  officers  were  ordered  to  assem- 
ble to  settle  the  matter  in  dispute  between  the  two  officers  of 
artillery:f  and  a  letter  having  been  written  to  Gen.  Arnold 
at  Philadelphia,!  requesting  him  to  procure  from  the  records 
of  Congress  some  information  in  relation  to  it,  the  following 
letter  from  the  secretary  of  that  body,  was  received  in  reply: 

Sir: 

I  return  enclosed  the  letter  from  Mr.  Lamb,  with  the  reso- 
lution respecting  Col.  Harrison's  regiment  of  artillery.  It 
does  not  appear  that  the  regiment  was  raised  with  a  view  to 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  J  Idem 


208  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

any  particular  service.  When  Gen.  Lee  was  going  to  the 
southward  to  command  there,  a  comp'y  of  artillery,  at  his 
request,  was  ordered  to  be  raised  in  Virginia:  afterwards  an- 
other was  added.  When  the  regiment  was  determined  on, 
these  two  companies  were  to  compose  a  part  of  the  regiment. 
I  wish  the  information  I  give,  may  settle  the  matter  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned;  and  particularly  of  Col.  Lamb, 
of  whom  I  entertain  a  high  opinion. 
I  am,  Sir, 

Your  humble  serv., 

Aug.  29,  1778.  Chas.  Thompson.* 

Gen.  Arnold. 

No  answer  having  been  received  from  the  President  of 
Congress  in  regard  to  the  general  order  of  Gates,  superceding 
Col.  Lamb  in  the  command  of  the  artillery;  some  unpleasant 
feelings  began  to  arise  in  his  mind,  in  consequence  of  the 
supposed  neglect,  when  a  letter  arrived  from  Mr.  Lovel,  a 
member  of  Congress,  explaining  the  cause  of  the  delay. 

August  8th,  1778. 
Sir: 

Mr.  Hancock  having  left  Philadelphia,  before  the  arrival 
of  your  letters,  of  July  6,  which  were  delivered  to  me  from 
the  post  office,  the  4th  inst. 

I  have  sent  the  resolve,  passed  on  the  30th  of  April,  rela- 
tive to  the  officer  concerning  whom,  you  wrote  to  Mr.  H. 

I  apprehend  this  is  what  the  general  orders  refer  to.  You 
will  let  me  know  whether  it  is  in  my  way,  to  do  you  any 
other  pleasure,  than  by  inclosing  your  letter  to  Mr.  H.,  hav- 
ing already  mentioned  to  him  that  I  should  do  so. 

Your  humble  serv't, 

James  Lovel.| 
Col.  Lamb. 

The  resolve  above  alluded  to,  was  simply  to  appoint  Maj. 
Stevens,  of  the  artillery,  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  by  brevet  of 
infantry;  and  the  assumption  of  the  general  order,  was  wholly 
the  fruit  of  the  arrogance  of  Gates,  and  of  his  overweening 
partiality  for  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  combined  with  some  ma- 
levolence against  Col.  Lamb.     The  consequence  of  this  pre- 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  209 

dilection  of  Gates  for  particular  officers,  had  the  usual  effect 
of  souring  the  minds  of  those  who  happened  to  be  on  the 
shady  side  of  the  General's  favor,  and  of  exciting  strong  pre- 
judices against  the  more  fortunate  individuals,  who  enjoyed 
the  sunshine.*  This  was  the  case  with  Col.  Lamb,  whose 
feelings  had  been  most  outraged  on  the  occasion;  and  it  was 
not  until  after  active  operations  in  the  field,  with  that  excel- 
lent officer,  and  a  community  of  service  and  danger,  which 
brought  them  into  close  contact,  that  the  feelings  then  pro- 
duced against  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  were  wholly  removed.f 

That  fruitful  cause  of  dissatisfaction,  and  contention,  the 
claim  of  relative  rank,  threw  some  of  the  best  officers  out  of 
the  ranks  of  service;  and  Col.  Lamb  was  deprived  of  his  ex- 
cellent coadjutor,  Oswald,  who  was  by  some  outrageous  in- 
justice compelled  to  resign.J 

Orders  were  given  to  prepare  for  marching,  and  the  army 
was  soon  expected  to  be  put  in  motion.  That  the  situation 
of  the  men  at  White  Plains,  was  something  like  that  at  Val- 
ley Forge,  the  preceding  winter,  will  be  evinced  by  the  fol- 
lowing extract  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Mott;  which  at  the 
same  time  that  it  exhibits  the  sufferings  of  the  men,  will  also 
illustrate  the  sympathies  of  some  of  those  who  commanded 
them: 

24  November,  1778.§ 
"  Ten  of  my  men  are  barefooted,  and  can  not  endure  the 
march,  unless  supplied;  therefore,  as  shoes  are  to  be  had  at 
the  Clothier-General's  store,  I  think  it  wTould  be  best  to  draw 
them  from  thence  immediately.  I  will  be  accountable  for 
them,  and  charge  them  to  the  men;  as  I  had  rather  pay  all 
the  money  I  am  possessed  of,  and  finally  lose  it,  than  com- 
mand men  on  a  severe  march,  when  I  am  sensible  they  can 
not  do  the  duty  required  of  them." 

While  the  army  was  at  White  Plains,  and  Col.  Lamb  at 
head  quarters,  there  were  no  conflicting  claims  of  command, 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         fldem.  $  Idem.  $  Idem. 

27 


210  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

arising  out  of  the  general  order  of  Gates,  of  the  4th  June ; 
but  upon  the  determination  to  go  into  winter  quarters,  the 
following  order  was  issued  by  Gen.  Knox,  which  effectually 
established  the  point  in  dispute,  and  put  an  end  to  the  disa- 
greeable feelings,  which  the  unwarrantable  measure  of  Gen. 
Gates,  had  occasioned: 

Fredericksburg,  25th  Nov.  1778. 
Sir: 

The  principal  part  of  the  army,  under  His  Excellency,  Gen. 
Washington,  being  ordered  to  cross  the  Hudson  River,  to  take 
up  winter  quarters  in  the  Jersies,  among  which  are  the  park 
of  artillery,  and  myself;  you  will  remain  on  this  side,  as 
commanding  officer  of  artillery.  There  will  be  two  compa- 
nies of  your  battalion,  and  one  of  Col.  Cranes,  stationed  with 
the  troops  at  Danbury;  three  companies  of  Col.  Cranes's, 
with  the  troops  under  Gen.  McDougall,  in,  and  about  the 
Highlands;  and  one  company  of  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  and 
one  of  Col.  Proctor's,  at  Forts  Arnold,  and  Constitution,  on 
the  river." 

You  will  please  to  be  particular,  in  not  granting,  or  re- 
commending either  officers  or  men,  for  furloughs,  except  on 
pressing  emergencies.  Some  operations  which  may  proba- 
bly be  undertaken  in  the  course  of  the  winter,  render  this  hint 
necessary." 

Col.  Lamb.* 

The  hint  above  alluded  to,  in  all  probability,  referred  to  a 
plan  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  to  make  an  attempt  upon 
the  passes  by  Lake  Champlain,  into  Canada;  and  against  the 
forts  on  the  lakes,  during  the  winter.f  But  this  plan  was 
absorbed  in  the  gigantic  scheme  of  a  campaign,  which  had 
been  concocted  in  Congress,  without  consulting  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, or  any  other  military  officer,  and  which  was 
based  upon  the  visionary  hope  and  expectation,  that  the  Brit- 
ish intended  to  evacuate  the  country,  and  abandon  the  contest. 
When  this  project  of  the  Congress,  which  assumed  that  the 
war  for  defence  was  ended,  and  a  new  one  for  conquest,  had 
become  expedient,  was  disclosed  to  Washington;  his  saga- 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Marshall. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  211 

city  immediately  perceived  the  baseless  fabric  of  the  design, 
and  he  exerted  all  his  influence  to  persuade  its  projectors  to 
abandon  it.  This  was  done  with  extreme  difficulty.  The 
greater  undertaking  being  relinquished,  the  lesser  was  not 
executed,  and  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  rendered  neces- 
sary, a  concentration  of  the  army  near  the  passes  of  the  High- 
lands.* 

Among  the  friends  and  correspondents  of  Colonel  Lamb, 
was  a  French  gentleman,  named  Du  Simitiere,f  who  had 
taken  up  the  occupation  of  a  miniature  painter,  and  wTho  was 
a  great  antiquary,  virtuosi,  and  collector  of  curiosities  ;  and 
it  is  even  said  that  his  cabinet  formed  the  basis  of  Peale's 
Museum,  and  his  collections,  that  of  the  Historical  So- 
ciety of  Philadelphia.  This  gentleman  was  the  translator 
into  French  of  the  manifesto  of  Congress  to  the  Canadians, 
at  the  invasion  under  Montgomery,  and  he  happened  to  be  in 
Philadelphia  when  the  British  took  possession,  wThere  he  re- 
mained after  the  evacuation.  As  the  correspondence  of  one 
friend  with  another,  is  illustrative  of  the  characters  of  both  ; 
and  as  one  of  the  letters  which  passed  between  them  had 
some  relation  to  forgotten  facts,  it  is  inserted  entire. 

My  dear  Sir : 

It  is  now  two  years,  since  I  have  been  deprived  of  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  ;  and  the  hope  of  meeting  with  you 
again  soon,  joined  with  an  unaccountable  aversion  to  letter 
writing,  have  been  the  only  causes,  of  your  not  hearing  di- 
rectly from  me  :  which  I  must  acknowledge,  might  appear  at 
first,  negligence,  but  it  is  far  from  being  the  case.  I  still,  and 
shall  ever,  retain  for  you  the  same  sincere  attachment  and  re- 
gard, contracted  by  a  friendship  of  so  many  years  standing  : 
and  I  please  myself,  with  the  thought,  that  you  still  continue 
me  a  share  of  your  affection. 

As  often  as  opportunities  have  occurred,  I  have  not  failed 
of  inquiring  very  particularly  after  you  ;  and  was  much 
concerned  to  hear  you  had  been  wounded  at  Danbury.  If  it 
is  your  fate  to  be  wounded  in  every  action  your  are  engaged 

*  Marshall.  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.   Soc. 


212  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

in  you  share  that  fate  with  very  great  men  :  Among  the 
rest,  the  famous  Mareschal  De  Rantzau  ;  who  had  an  epi- 
taph made  for  him,  which  for  its  brevity  I  insert  here  for 
your  amusement. 

Du  corps  du  grand  Rantzau,  tu  n'as  qu'une  des  pars  ; 
L'autre  moitie  resta,  dans  les  plaines  de  Mars  ; 
II  dispersa,  partout,  ses  membres  et  sa  gloire  ; 
Tout  abbattu  qu'il  fut,  il  demeurra  vainqueur  : 
Son  sang  fut  en  cent  lieux,  le  prix  de  sa  victoire, 
Et  Mars  ne  lui  laissa  rien  d'entier,  que  le  cceur. 

Translation. 

A  remnant,  here,  of  mighty  Rantzau  lies ! 
The  rest  lie  bleaching  on  the  battle  plain  : 
Where,  in  his  num'rous  toils  and  victories, 
He  left  his  members,  amid  heaps  of  slain, 
Each  triumph,  cost  his  martial  frame  a  part, 
And  left  entire,  alone,  the  warrior's  heart. 

This  is  very  brilliant,  but  in  my  opinion,  it  is  acquiring 
glory,  at  a  very  dear  rate  ;  may  you  my  dear  friend,  con- 
tinue in  the  field  of  honor,  at  somewhat  less  expence  ;  for 
the  sake  of  yourself,  your  family,  and  friends. 

I  find  the  catastrophe  of  my  imprisonment,  and  its  disa- 
greeable circumstances,  had  reached  your  ears.  I  would 
willingly  give  you  a  particular  account  of  this  unfortunate 
passage  of  my  life,  but  it  is  attended  with  such  concentra- 
tion of  particular  events  ;  the  recital  of  which,  would  be 
very  long,  and  far  exceed  the  bounds  of  a  letter  ;  and  per- 
haps prove  tedious  reading  after  all  ;  that  therefore,  I  shall 
content  myself  to  inform  you,  that  I  was  put  in  prison  soon 
after  the  British  took  possession  of  this  city  ;  some  of  my 
papers  siezed  by  the  Town  Major  ;  my  apartment  locked 
up,  and  the  key  and  papers,  carried  to  the  Commandant, 
Lord  Cornwall  is.  My  confinement  lasted  three  weeks,  and 
three  days  ;  during  which  time  I  suffered  a  variety  of  hard- 
ships, and  much  anxiety,  especially  as  I  could  not  well  learn 
the  cause  of  my  imprisonment,  only  in  general,  for  my  hav- 
ing transacted  business  for  Congress  :  Being  a  dangerous 
person,  unfriendly  to  government — of  republican  principles, 
&c.,  &c.  :  Nor  did  the  letters  I  wrote  to  several,  avail  any 
thing.  However,  at  last,  by  the  intercession  of  an  old  friend 
of  mine,  to  some  persons  in  power,  I  was  restored  to  my  lib- 
erty, without  ever  having  been  examined,  interrogated,  or 
even  asked  a  single  question.  My  key  and  my  papers  were 
returned  to  me,  and  my  room  was  never  searched,  nor  even 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  213 

opened  during  the  whole  time  of  my  being  confined.  But 
notwithstanding  I  was  thus  liberated,  I  was  not  for  many 
months  afterwards,  without  fear  of  another  arrest.  I  had 
beside,  a  world  of  difficulties  to  struggle  with.  In  the  spring- 
I  met  writh  some  employment  among  the  officers  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  ;  but  that  lasted  but  a  little  while,  for  as  soon  as 
Lord  North's  speech  came  over,  their  thoughts  were  all 
turned  upon  it  :  and  soon  after,  the  orders  for  the  heavy 
baggage  to  be  put  on  board  was  the  first  signal  of  their  depart- 
ure ;  which  they  effected  at  last  in  the  quietest  manner  im- 
maginable.  They  did  not  go  away,  they  vanished,  to  the 
great  joy  of  every  friend  of  America. 

It  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  give  you  an  account  of 
the  devastation  they  committed  in  the  environs  of  the  city, 
indiscriminately,  on  whig  and  tory  property :  but  am  very 
certain,  that  you  would  not  know  them  again.  The  perse- 
cution that  numbers  of  worthy  citizens  underwent,  from  the 
malice  of  the  tories,  the  tyranny  of  the  police  on  all  those 
they  supposed  to  be  friends  to  the  liberties  of  America  ;  all 
these,  would  fill  up  a  volume.  To  describe  to  you  the  luxu- 
rious way  of  living  of  the  officers  of  that  army,  cooped  up 
within  their  lines,  for  several  months  :  Their  gambling, 
plays,  balls,  gallantries,  &c.  &c.  ;  and  to  conclude,  to  de- 
scribe the  entertainment  given  by  them  to  their  General 
Howe,  (which  they  called  Meschianza)  would  hardly  be 
worth  while,  and  not  in  my  power  to  do  :  Let  it  suffice,  that 
they  staid  here  near  nine  months  without  doing  anything 
towards  their  pretended  conquest  of  the  country,  and  at  last, 
went  away  to  the  place  from  whence  they  came  ;  but  did 
not  reach  it  so  numerous,  as  when  they  left  the  city,  having 
met  with  rubbers  on  their  way  thither  ;  and  there  I  shall 
leave  them. 

As  to  the  transactions  here,  since  the  time  that  this  city 
returned  into  the  hands  of  its  lawful  possessors,  I  could  in- 
form you  of  nothing  more  than  what  you  have  long  since 
seen  in  our  papers. 

I  shall  now  return  to  my  little  affairs.  As  you  have  seen 
above,  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  save  my  collection,  which 
has  greatly  increased,  since  you  was  here;  and  to  which,  by 
the  assistance  of  a  few  acquaintances,  I  am  adding  now  and 
then  something  to;  and  as  I  have  a  whole  house  to  myself, 
and  a  very  good  apartment  for  it,  it  appears  with  much 
greater  advantage,  and  is  more  commodiously  seen,  than  ever 
it  was  before.     How  happy  would   I  be,  to  see  you  in  my 


W 


214  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

hermitage !  From  you,  my  dear  friend,  I  have  received  many 
valuable  additions  to  my  cabinet;  and  it  is  very  unlucky  that 
as  I  am  lately  informed  by  Col.  Oswald,  the  fragment  of  the 
statue,*  which  he  told  me  you  sent  me  last  summer  twelve 
months,  has  never  come  to  my  hands;  nor  any  letter  from 
you,  if  you  have  wrote  any,  which  is  a  great  disappoint- 
ment. The  above  gentleman  informs  me,  that  he  thinks 
most  of  the  statue  is  preserved  still  in  some  part  of  the  east- 
ward.f  If  that  is  the  case,  it  might  perhaps  be  possible  for 
you,  to  procure  another  piece  at  some  future  time.  He  told 
me  that  the  piece  you  sent  me,  was  some  of  the  locks  of 
hair.  Now  we  had  a  report  here  formerly,  that  the  whole 
head  had  been  found  by  the  enemy  at  Fort  Washington;  and 
another  account  said,  that  it  was  found  near  Harlem;  but  it 
seems  that  all  this  is  not  true,  since  you  had  some  of  the  hair, 
which  undoubtedly  grew  upon  some  part  of  the  head. 

I  have  been  positively  assured,  that  the  sword  has  been 
seen  in  this  city  the  winter  before  last;  but  I  could  never 
discover  in  whose  possession  it  was.  Since  I  am  on  this 
topic,  I  can  not  avoid  reminding  you  of  a  promise  you  have 
been  so  obliging  as  to  make  me,  from  time  to  time,  of  your 
collections  of  manuscript,  in  the  time  of  the  Stamp  act,  at 
New  York.  These  would  indeed  be  a  very  valuable  acqui- 
sition, and  fill  up  a  chasm  in  my  repository;  having  none 
but  printed  papers  of  that  period.  May  I  beg  the  favor  of 
you  to  fulfill  your  promise,  by  sending  these  papers  to  me  by 
some  gentleman  of  your  army  coming  this  way,  which  hap- 

*  This  undoubtedly  alludes  to  one  of  the  two  statues  erected  on  the  re- 
peal of  the  Stamp  Act-,  and  probably  to  the  leaden  statue  of  the  King, 
placed  in  the  Bowling  Green,  which  was  pulled  down  on  receiving  the 
news  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  July,  1776,  and  cast  into  balls 
for  the  use  of  the  Patriot  Army.  If  so,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  a 
fragment  of  it  could  have  been  in  the  possession  of  Lamb, who  was  at 
the  time  of  its  prostration,  a  prisoner  at  Quebec;  unless  he  had  tried  the 
temper  of  his  sword  on  the  saturnine  effigy  of  royalty,  previous  to  his 
march  to  the  North :  an  exploit  which,  as  an  inflexible  republican,  he 
was  very  likely  to  have  performed. 

t  "  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  this  statue  was  overthrown,  and 
lead  being  highly  valuable,  was  sent  to  Gen.  Wolcott's,  at  Litchfield,  for 
safe  keeping,  where,  in  process  of  time,  it  was  cut  up  and  run  into  bul- 
lets by  his  daughters  and  their  friends.  An  account  of  the  number  of 
cartridges  made  by  each,  is  still  preserved  among  the  family  papers. * 
Gibbs"1  Administrations  Washington  and  Adams ,  from  the  Wolcott papers 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  215 

pens  very  frequently.  I  must  conclude  this  article,  by  letting 
you  know,  that  my  collection  is  very  deficient  of  New  York 
papers  in  general;  I  mean  newspapers,  hand  bills,  and  all 
kinds  of  other  political  publications;  especially  of  last  year 
and  this;  as  I  have  nobody  there  that  sends  them  to  me,  and 
gather  only  a  few  now  and  then  here.  While  I  lived  with 
the  worthy  Mr.  Ph.  Livingston,  he  always  gave  me  the  pa- 
pers he  received  from  thence.  He  died,  much  regretted  at 
Yorktown,  last  spring,  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  trust 
to  his  injured  country;  and  I  have  much  lamented  his  loss; 
he  was  a  good  patron  of  mine.  If  it  falls  in  your  way  to 
collect  any  papers,  new  or  old,  send  them  to  me,  I  beg  of 
you. 

I  shall  now  take  my  leave  of  you  for  the  present,  and  hope 
that  I  shall  soon  receive  some  lines  from  you.  It  '11  be  a  great 
satisfaction  to  me,  to  hear  that  you  are  in  good  health;  and 
my  warmest  wishes  I  tender  to  you,  for  its  continuation. 

My  insignificance  is  so  great  here,  that  I  can  hardly  pre- 
sume to  offer  my  services,  in  what  you  might  have  occasion 
of,  but  this  I  can  sincerely  assure  you,  that  it  would  be  the 
greatest  pleasure  to  me,  to  give  you  some  proofs  of  the  sin- 
cere esteem,  and  unfeigned  friendship,  with  which  I  remain, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  affectionate  & 

most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Du  Simitiere, 
in  Fourth  street,  near  the  Academy. 

Philad'a,  November  24th,  1778. 

Col.  Lamb. 

P.  S.  I  inclose  this  letter,  under  cover  of  His  Excellency, 
the  Governor  of  your  State,  as  I  am  not  certain  of  your  place 
of  residence.* 

Gen.  Gates  had  been  ordered  to  the  command  at  Boston, 
and  the  companies  under  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  had  been  con- 
solidated with  Crane's  regiment;  but  notwithstanding  this 
order,  Stevens,  by  some  means  contrived  to  maintain  a  sepa- 
rate command,  until  he  was  transferred  to  Lamb's  regiment.f 

That  officer,  who,  by  a  resolve  of  Congress,  had  been  made 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Artillery,  to  rank  from  the  date  of  his 

*  Lamb  papers,  Journals  Congress,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem. 


216  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

brevet,  and  entitled  to  service  at  the  next  vacancy,  was  as- 
signed to  Lamb's  regiment,  to  supply  the  place  of  Lieut- 
Col.  Oswald,  who  had  resigned  his  command;  and  accord- 
ingly, Stevens  joined  that  part  of  the  corps,  at  the  park  at 
head  quarters.* 

The  dream  of  Congress,  that  the  war  of  defence  was  ended, 
seemed  to  have  been  infectious,  and  the  people  at  large  were 
falling  into  the  same  delusion.f  So  little  energy  was  exhi- 
bited in  the  prosecution  of  the  public  business,  that  the  Le- 
gislature of  New  York,  which  had  been  ordered  to  assemble 
on  the  8th  January,  had  not,  twelve  days  after  that  period, 
gathered  in  sufficient  numbers,  to  form  a  quorum  for  business. 
Gov.  Clinton,  whose  sagacity,  like  that  of  Washington,  could 
not  be  blinded  to  the  alarming  apathy  which  prevailed,  de- 
plored this  supineness  of  the  people,  in  a  letter  to  Col.  Lamb, 
in  the  following  terms: 

Potjghkeepsie,  20  January,  1779. 
"  Our  Legislature  were  to  have  met  at  this  place  on  the  8th 
instant,  but  a  sufficient  number  of  members  have  not  yet  ap- 
peared, to  proceed  on  business;  when  there  will,  God  only 
knows.  So  little  attention  is  paid  to  the  public  weal,  by  the 
guardians  of  the  rights  of  the  people,  as  to  discourage  me, 
more  than  I  can  well  express." 

I  am,  Dr  Sir,  in  the  utmost  haste, 

Your  Most  Obed't  Serv't, 

Geo.  Clinton,  j 
Col.  Lamb. 

Nor  were  these  gloomy  apprehensions  without  cause;  the 
dissensions  in  Congress,  artfully  fomented  by  the  intrigues  of 
the  British  commissioners;  and  the  general  yearning  for  peace, 
occasioned  by  the  opening  of  negotiations,  had  paralized  the 
public  mind  to  an  alarming  degree.  Another  patriotic 
friend, J  viewed  the  perilous  crisis,  with  equal  alarm;  and 
although  he  was  removed  from  the  dangers  of  the  war,  in 
the  peaceful  pursuits  of  his  former  occupation,  he  was  yet 

*  Journal  Congress. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  %  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  217 

awake  to  the  evil  auguries  of  the  time,  and  expressed  his 
fears  as  follows: 

Boston,  January  18,  1779. 
Dear  Sir: 

In  looking  over  the  late  newspapers,  I  read  the  piece  of 
Silas  Deane,  and  Common  Sense's  answer,  which  was  very- 
alarming  to  me,  when  I  consider  the  fate  of  this  country  de- 
pends on  the  virtue  of  its  representatives.  I  have,  within 
these  few  days  past,  met  with  something  more  alarming.  I 
am  informed,  by  a  gentleman  of  veracity,  that  G.  M.,*  from 
your  state,  declared  himself  in  the  following  words,  just  be- 
fore he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Congress:  "  I  thank  God, 
we  in  this  state,  have  the  keys  of  the  thirteen  United  States, 
in  our  own  hands,  and  it  is  in  our  power,  to  give  them  up  to 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  if  they  will  not  secure  to  us,  those 
lands  that  are  so  justly  claimed."  The  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  are  truly  worthy  of  great  veneration;  but 
remember  the  fate  of  Cato's  virtuous  Senate.  For  God's  sake, 
let  us  be  on  our  guard;  and  if  we  have  any  incendiaries 
among  us,  find  them  out."  The  gentleman  who  made  the 
above  declaration,  is  ready  to  make  oath  to  the  same,  if 
called  on  before  Congress,  whose  name  will  be  given  up,  if 
requested. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  Obed't  H'ble  Serv't, 

Isaac  Sears.! 

Col.  John  Lamb. 

*Gouverneur  Morris. — This,  in  all  probability,  was  one  of  the  thou- 
sand rumors,  circulated  by  the  British,  to  scatter  dissensions  among  the 
patriots.  tLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


28 


218  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Appointed  Surveyor  of  Ordnance. — Dispute  of  Rank  with  Col.  Crane. — 
Correspondence  with  Gen.  Parsons. — Verplanck's,  and  Stoney  Point 
taken. — Probability  of  an  Attack  on  West  Point. — Alacrity  of  the 
Militia. — Ordered  to  West  Point. — Stoney  Point  Stormed. — Design  on 
Verplanck's,  fails. — Relative  Rank  with  Crane  decided  against  him. — 
Tenders  his  Resignation  to  Washington. — Not  accepted. — Washing- 
ton's Letter. — Gov.  Clinton's  Letter. — Appeals  to  Congress. — Con- 
tinues in  Command. — Camp  Rumors. — Letter  of  Col.  Carrington. — 
Gen.  Parsons  prevents  Recruits  to  Artillery. — Ordered  by  Washington 
to  desist. 

It  was  not  until  the  opening  of  the  year,  that  Congress 
seemed  to  rouse  themselves  from  torpor,  and  seriously  began 
to  prepare  for  the  approaching  campaign.*  Col.  Lamb,  then 
on  furlough,  had  been  called  to  camp  by  Gen.  McDougall, 
and  after  dispatching  some  special  business  of  his  depart- 
ment, again  resumed  his  leave  of  absence.  Before  this  had 
expired,  he  received  a  commission  from  the  war  office,  ap- 
pointing him,  on  the  6th  March,  Surveyor  of  Ordnance,  and 
he  immediately  assumed  the  duties  of  that  station.f 

While  yet  at  home,  he  received  a  letter  from  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, apprising  him  of  his  intention,  to  order  a 
board  of  general  officers,  to  assemble,  in  order  to  settle  the 
claims  of  rank  of  the  colonels  of  artillery,  which  had  not  yet 
been  fully  adjusted.  Agreeably  to  this  order,  he  transmitted 
to  head  quarters,  a  detail  of  his  pretensions  of  seniority, 
which  according  to  the  resolves  of  Congress,  and  former  pre- 
cedents in  the  army,  he  deemed  sufficient  to  establish  his 

claims.J 

Community  of  service,  had  brought  on  a  friendship  with 
Major  Samuel  Shaw,  aid-de-camp  to  the  general  of  artillery; 
and  in  an  official  communication  in  regard  to  Col  Lamb's 

*  Marshall.  fLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  219 

recent  appointment,  that  gentleman  closed,  by  some  remarks 
upon  the  aspect  of  public  affairs: 

Artillery  Quarters,  Pluckemin, 

15th  March,  1779. 

"  I  congratulate  you  on  the  present  promising  aspect  of 
our  public  affairs,  arising  from  the  friendly  disposition  of 
many  respectable  European  powers.  All  things,  will  no 
doubt,  go  well  with  our  Israel  at  last.  It  was  to  be  wished, 
however,  she  would  render  herself  more  worthy  of  the  bless- 
ings in  store  for  her. 

People  are  much  divided  in  their  opinion,  respecting  the 
operations  of  the  present  year.  Whether  we  shall  have  a 
campaign  or  not,  seems  with  some  a  question.  I  wish  the 
conjectures  may  not  have  an  undue  influence  on  our  pre- 
parations, and  betray  us  into  an  error.  At  all  events,  we 
ought  to  be  ready;  it  will  do  us  no  harm.  To  be  in  a  con- 
dition of  sustaining  a  war  properly,  is  one  of  the  surest 
means  of  procuring  an  advantageous  peace. 
I  am  dear  Colonel, 
Your  affectionate  Friend  and  humb.  Servt. 

S.  Shaw.* 

Col.  Lamb. 

Movements  began  to  exhibit  themselves  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  which  caused  the  camp  at  Peekskill,  to  be  on  the 
alert.  An  express  from  General  McDougall,  to  Gov.  Trum- 
bull at  Hartford,  left  a  letter  for  Col.  Lamb,  which  induced 
him,  without  delay,  to  repair  to  the  North  river.f  For  some- 
time the  enemy  so  masked  their  designs,  that  they  could  not 
be  penetrated;  and  head  quarters,  and  the  river  camp,  were 
equally  at  fault,  with  regard  to  their  destination-!  Under- 
standing that  the  board  of  officers  to  decide  the  question  of 
relative  rank,  were  to  assemble  at  Pluckemin,  Col.  Lamb 
went  to  that  place,  to  prefer  his  claims;  and  remained  there, 
until  after  Stoney  Point,  and  Fort  Fayette,  at  Verplanck's, 
were  taken  by  the  enemy.§ 

Some  rumors,  prejudicial  to  the  reputation  of  Gen.  Par- 
sons, then  at  West  Point,  having  gained  currency;  he  sur- 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         fldem.         J  Idem,         §  Idem. 


220  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

mised  that  they  had  been  countenanced  by  Col.  Lamb;  and 
consequently,  he  wrote  to  him  for  explanation;  to  which  let- 
ter he  received  the  following  reply  : 

Pluckemin,  21st  May,  1779. 
Sir: 

Yours  of  the  29th  April,  I  received  a  few  days  since,  in 
which  you  mention,  your  having  been  informed  that  I  have 
propagated  reports,  prejudicial  to  your  reputation. 

With  respect  to  your  conduct  to  the  inhabitants  below  the 
lines,  I  do  not  recollect  that  I  ever  heard  any  body  charge 
you  with  plundering,  or  doing  them  the  least  injury;  nor 
have  I  ever  heard  that  you  was  suspected  of  holding  cor- 
respondence, or  trading  with  the  enemy;  and  altho'  I  shall 
ever  presume  to  speak  freely  of  the  misconduct  of  men  who 
act  in  public  character;  I  am  ever  cautious  of  reporting  any 
thing  to  the  prejudice  of  others,  unless  I  have  it  in  my  power 
to  prove  the  facts,  either  from  my  own  knowledge,  or  the 
testimony  of  others,  in  whose  veracity  I  can  confide. 

In  regard  to  one  of  the  charges  which  you  mention,  "  that 
of  having  employed  a  number  of  soldiers  on  board  a  private 
vessel  of  war;"  the  matter  stands  thus.  Sometime  in  May, 
1778,  Lieut.  Waring,  of  Capt.  Lockwood's  company,  com- 
plained to  me  at  West  Point,  of  the  severity  of  his  duty; 
owing  to  your  having  furloughed  Capt.  Lockwood,  Lieut. 
Brewster,  a  sergeant,  and  four  men,  for  the  purpose  of  cruiz- 
ing in  the  sound,  on  board  of  a  galley,  in  which  he  said,  you 
were  deeply  concerned. 

As  this  complaint  was  made  to  me  at  a  time  when  that 
post  was  liable  to  be  attacked  by  the  enemy;  I  conceived  it 
a  duty  which  I  not  only  owed  the  public,  but  my  own  repu- 
tation, to  make  immediate  application  to  Gen.  McDougall, 
requesting  he  would  order  Lockwood,  and  Brewster,  with  the 
men  under  their  command,  to  join  the  company  without  delay. 
This  application  was  made  officially,  and  I  do  not  know  that 
I  have  mentioned  it  to  any  other  person.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  I  may  have  spoken  of  it  to  some  of  my  offi- 
cers, as  the  matter  was  no  secret;  it  having  been  frequently 
mentioned  by  them  to  me. 

I  flatter  myself,  that  you  will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe, 
that  as  I  value  my  own  reputation  above  every  other  consi- 
deration; so  I  shall  ever  be  cautious,  how  I  report  any  thing 
to  the  prejudice  of  another  man's  character,  without  good 
foundation;  and  that  I  will  not  deny,  any  thing  I  have  said. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  221 

If  you  conceive  yourself  injured  by  any  thing  that  I  have 
said  or  done,  I  shall  ever  be  ready  to  give  you  that  satisfac- 
tion, which  a  gentleman,  and  a  soldier,  has  a  right  to  demand 
from  me.* 

I  am,  Sir,  your  humble  serv't, 

John  Lamb.| 
Brig.  Gen.  Parsons,  West  Point. 

Arnold,  while  in  command  at  Philadelphia,  was  concerned 
in  privateers  equipped  from  the  Delaware,  and  it  was  thought 
derogotory  to  a  military  commander  to  engage  in  such  en- 
terprizes;  but  it  does  not  appear  that  his  cotemporary,  al- 
though a  native  of  the  same  state,  suffered  much  from  this 
transaction. 

On  the  news  of  the  loss  of  Verplanck's  Point,  Col.  Lamb 
hastened  to  Fishkill  from  whence  he  wrote  the  following 
letter  to  General  Knox  : 

Fishkill,  6  June,  1779. 
Dear  General  : 

It  is  impossible  at  present,  to  penetrate  the  designs  of  the 
enemy  :  By  the  best  intelligence  that  can  be  had  from  de- 
serters, (a  number  of  which  come  out  daily)  their  main 
body  now  lies  at  Verplanck's  Point,  from  whence,  it  will  be 
impracticable  to  dislodge  them  :  Their  advanced  picket  is 
at  Lent's  Home,  two  miles  from  the  Point. 

The  greatest  part  of  their  ships,  have  gone  down  below 
Tappan  Bay  :  Some  of  the  deserters  who  have  come  in  to- 
day, say  that  a  report  prevailed  in  their  camp,  that  a  con- 
siderable reinforcement  had  arrived  at  New  York  ;  and  that 
the  ships  had  gone  down  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  them 
up  the  river.     This  I  believe  to  be  no  more  than  camp  news, 

*The  readiness  with  which  the  amende  militaire,  was  tendered,  was 
in  strict  conformity  with  the  chivalric  notions,  which  prevailed  at  that 
time  to  a  great  extent,  in  the  army.  The  same  weakness,  at  a  later  day, 
deprived  the  country  of  one  of  its  greatest  ornaments ;  who  braved  cer- 
tain death,  rather  than  incur  the  suspicion  of  being  wanting  in  a  qualifi- 
cation, of  which  he  had  on  all  occasions,  given  the  most  unequivocal 
proofs.  When  will  reason,  religion,  humanity,  and  common  sense,  get 
the  better  of  the  false  principles  of  the  code  of  honor. 

fLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


222  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  (as  is  but  too  common)  the  lie  of  the  day.  As  a 
supply  of  at  least  sixty  barrels  of  powder  is  wanted  for  the 
gairrson  of  Fort  Arnold,  and  as  there  is  no  prospect  of  pro- 
curing it  in  time  from  Boston  ;  I  wish  you  would  order  that 
quantity,  to  be  brought  forward  immediately  from  Colonel 
Ford's  Mills,  near  Morristown.  Mr.  Ruddock  has  sent  ex- 
presses to  Springfield,  and  Boston  for  powder,  lead,  and 
musket  cartridge  paper,  but  all  that  he  can  obtain  in  answer 
to  his  application,  is,  that  no  teams  can  be  procured  to  bring 
these  articles  forward.  This  has  been  the  situation  of  mat- 
ters in  that  department,  from  November  last :  to  whom  this 
neglect  is  owing,  I  cannot  possibly  determine,  but  it  is  ex- 
tremely chagrining,  to  see  the  public  suffering  by  the  partial 
politics  of  some  states  ;  who  pay  no  attention  but  to  their 
own  particular  interests.  I  forgot  to  mention  the  great 
want  of  musket  cartridge  paper,  which  must  be  had  from 
the  southward  if  possible. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  the  militia  of  this 
state,  have  turned  out  in  the  most  exemplary  manner.  His 
Excellency  the  Governor,  informs  me,  that  he  has  upwards 
of  two  thousand  from  the  county  of  Dutchess  alone.  This 
is  a  very  pleasing  circumstance  ;  and  which  I  flatter  myself, 
will  produce  the  happiest  consequences,  should  the  ene- 
my incline  to  attack  us.  I  have  now  to  add,  but  my  com- 
pliments to  Major  Shaw  ;  and  am  with  the  greatest  respect, 

Dear  General, 
Brigadier  Gen.  Knox,  Your  Ob't.  Humble  Serv't. 

Pluckemin.  John  Lamb.* 

The  British  General  continuing  to  make  demonstrations 
on  the  North  river,  Washington  resolved  to  be  prepared  to 
meet  him  at  all  points,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  forts 
in  the  Highlands,  which  were  considered  of  the  first  import- 
ance to  his  plan  of  operations  ;  and  had  approached  his 
camp  within  covering  distance,  of  these  posts.  At  the  same 
time,  he  caused  the  following  letter  to  be  written.f 

New  Windsor,  29  June,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel  : 

His  Excellency,  General  Washington,  considering  the 
great  importance  to  this  continent  of  the  posts  at  West  Point, 
and  the  absolute  necessity,  that  the  artillery  on  which  the 

*  Lamb  papers.  t  Marshall. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  LAMB.  223 

defence  of  these  posts  must  ultimately  depend,  should  be  in 
the  best  order,  and  under  the  direction  of  an  officer  of  rank 
and  ability  ;  has  directed  me  to  desire  you  to  repair  to  that 
place,  and  take  the  command  of  the  artillery  there.  Many 
things  are  wanted  for  the  ordnance,  and  I  have  directed  Capt. 
Post,  after  sending  the  work  he  has  on  hand  to  New  Hack- 
ensack  ;  or  where  the  ordnance  stores  are,  to  repair  with 
his  company  to  West  Point,  to  execute  such  ordnance  work, 
as  the  commanding  officer  shall  direct. 

Lieut.  Burbeck's  company,  is  not  attached  to  any  brig- 
ade.    I  wish  them  to  be  sent  to  the  posts  at  West  Point. 

I  am  dear  Colonel, 
Your  Humble  serv't, 

H.  Knox.* 

As  soon  as  the  public  service  would  permit,  Col.  Lamb 
took  the  command  at  West  Point  ;  but  his  time  was  divided 
between  that  post  and  Fishkill,  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
duties  of  his  department. 

The  Commander-in-Chief,  now  meditated  a  simultaneous 
attack  on  the  lower  posts  ;  and  detached  a  force  under 
Wayne  against  Stoney  Point,  while  two  brigades  under 
McDougall,  should  threaten  Verplanck's,  on  the  eastern  side. 
Wayne  was  instructed  to  carry  the  fort  with  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  to  turn  the  guns  of  the  captured  fortress,  upon 
the  vessels  of  the  enemy,  and  upon  the  garrison  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river.  The  storm  of  Stoney  Point,  was  perfect  ;f 
and  the  ships  were  driven  down  the  river  :  but  the  party 
under  McDougall,  not  being  supplied  with  ammunition  for 
their  battering  train,  were  not  in  a  situation  to  sieze  the  fa- 
vorable moment  for  attack,  and  lost  the  opportunity  to  cap- 
ture the  place  :J  for  the  British  General,  immediately  ad- 
vanced a  heavy  force  across  the  Croton,  and  frustrated  the 
enterprise.  This  misfortune  compelled  Washington  to  aban- 
don his  conquest,^  and  retire  to  his  former  position  in  the 
Highlands. 

In  this  brilliant  affair  of  Wayne,  Col.  Lamb  had  the  plea- 
sure to  rejoice  in  the  share  of  the  glory  gained  by  two  of  his 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.      t  Marshall.       J  Idem.       §  Idem. 


224  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

gallant  associates  in  the  storm  of  Quebec,  Febiger  and  Meigs; 
whose  regiments  were  engaged  in  the  enterprise,  and  both 
behaved  with  distinguished  bravery. 

The  board  of  officers  now  took  up  the  disputed  question 
of  rank,  between  Col.  Lamb  and  his  competitors.  Upon  the 
terms  of  the  resolves  of  Congress,  directing  that  the  Conti- 
nental commissions,  should  take  precedence  of  those  issued 
by  State  authority;  and  in  virtue  of  former  precedents,  he 
had  a  right  to  expect  a  determination  in  his  favor;  but  to 
his  mortification  and  surprise,  the  descision  was  otherwise; 
and  Col.  Crane  was  preferred  before  him.  He  had  asked 
that  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  whose  personal  knowledge  would 
have  strengthened  his  claims,  might  be  examined  before  the 
board,  which  was  refused;  and  feeling  very  sore  at  this  de- 
gradation of  rank,  he  was  induced  to  tender  his  resignation; 
which  he  did  at  the  close  of  a  letter  on  military  business  to 
the  Commander-in-Chief,  in  the  following  words  : 

Fishkill,  12th  August,  1779. 

"  As  I  conceive  myself  greatly  injured  by  the  Board  of 
General  Officers,  appointed  to  settle  the  rank  of  the  officers 
of  the  artillery;  I  must  beg  your  Excellency's  permission  to 
resign.  This  step,  I  can  with  great  truth  assure  your  Ex- 
cellency, I  take  with  the  greatest  reluctance;  after  making 
such  sacrifices  of  time,  health  and  property,  as  I  have  done 
by  being  in  the  service. 

I  shall  ever  retain  the  most  grateful  sense,  of  your  Excel- 
lency's tenderness  and  attention  to  me,  respecting  my  ap- 
pointment to  the  regiment,  at  a  time  when  I  was  neglected 
by  the  public,  from  being  a  prisoner  with  the  enemy. 

Wishing  your  Excellency  every  species  of  earthly  felicity, 
and  a  succession  of  honors,  I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  Ob'd.  Hum.  Serv. 
His  Excellency,  John  Lamb.* 

Gen.  Washington. 

This  letter  was  followed  by  an  answer  from  head  quarters, 
which  after  noting  the  matters  of  business  contained  in  the 
letter  of  resignation,  closes  as  follows  : 
*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  225 

West  Point,  August  the  13,  1779. 
"  I  sincerely  wish  your  letter  had  been  upon  no  other,  than 
the  subject  above.     It  pains  me  much,  to  find  an  officer  of 
your  rank  and  merit,  soliciting  a  resignation;  and  I  would 
willingly  hope,  upon  further  consideration,  that  you  will  de- 
cline your  application.     Your  good  sense,  and  judgment,  will 
not  permit  me  to  expostulate  with  you,  or  to  use  any  persua- 
sions upon  the  occasion;  but  you  will  remember,  sir,  that  the 
resignation  of  every  good  officer,  especially  if  he  is  of  high 
rank,  is  attended  with  great  injury  to  the  public.     They  not 
only  experience  an  injury  in  the  loss  of  his  individual  ser- 
vices, but  the  example  has  an  unhappy  and  pernicious  influ- 
ence.    And  your  case,  too,  has  been  decided  by  a  very  re- 
spectable board  of  officers,  fully  possessed  of  all  the  circum- 
stances of  yours,  and  Col.  Crane's  services;  and  who  could 
have  nothing  in  view,  but  substantial  justice  to  either  party. 
I  repeat  my  wishes,  that  you  will   decline  your  application; 
but  if  you  finally  determine  to  persevere  in  it,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  make  it  to  Congress,  as  I  have  not  of  late  accepted 
the  resignation  of  any  Colonel. 

I  feel  myself  very  sensibly  obliged,  by  the  terms  in  the 
conclusion  of  your  letter,  which  are  so  personally  interesting, 
and  am, 

With  great  respect  and  esteem, 
Sir,  your  most  ob'd.  servant, 

Go.  Washington.* 
Col.  Lamb. 

The  body  of  this  letter  is  in  the  hand  writing  of  Col.  Har- 
rison, the  aid-de-camp  and  secretary;  but  the  concluding 
sentence  is  in  the  hand  of  Washington  himself. 

This  circumstance,  and  the  paternal  character  of  the  epistle 
generally,  drew  from  Col.  Lamb  the  following  rejoinder  : 

Fishkill,  19  Aug.,  1779. 
Sir  : 

As  I  was  at  Fredericksburgh  on  public  business,  when 
your  Excellency's  favor  of  the  13th  instant  reached  this 
place,  it  did  not  come  to  hand  until  last  evening,  which  will 
I  presume,  apologize  for  my  not  answering  it  sooner. 

I  am  extremely  sorry  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  taking 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

29 


226  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

any  step,  that  can  possibly  excite  pain  in  your  Excellency's 
generous  mind;  or  that  may  have  the  most  distant  tendency 
to  injure  the  cause  in  which  I  have  been  embarked  for  a  se- 
ries of  years,  from  the  most  disinterested  motives.  But,  sir, 
you  must  allow  that  it  is  impossible  for  a  soldier,  who  is  te- 
nacious of  his  honor,  (the  only  jewel  worth  contending  for) 
to  suffer  himself  to  be  degraded,  by  being  superseded;  and 
his  just  right  torn  from  him,  and  given  to  another,  without 
resenting  the  cruel  injury,  in  a  becoming  manner.  I  must 
frankly  acknowledge,  that  my  sensibilities  are  deeply  wounded 
by  this  event;  and  your  Excellency,  can  much  better  con- 
ceive my  feelings,  than  I  can  possibly  describe  them. 

When  I  examine  the  general  order  of  the  10  September 
last,  and  observe  the  principles  there  laid  down  by  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangement  for  settling  the  rank  of  the  army; 
which  is  confirmed  by  a  subsequent  resolution  of  Congress  of 
the  28th  November;  I  must  confess,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  con- 
ceive on  what  principle  the  board  have  decided  in  favor  of 
Col.  Crane:  and  it  appears  to  me,  that  they  have  in  this  in- 
stance, manifestly  deviated  from  the  principles  established 
by  the  board  of  officers  of  the  whole  line. 

I  wish  to  be  indulged  with  a  sight  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  board,  for  which  purpose  I  will  do  myself  the  honor  to 
wait  on  your  Excellency  to-morrow.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  ob'd.  humb.  serv., 
His  Excellency,  John  Lamb* 

Gen;  Washington. 

Among  other  friends  to  whom  he  communicated  his  griefs, 
Col.  Lamb  wrote  to  Gov.  Clinton,  and  received  from  him 
the  following  reply  :f 

Po'keepsie,  26th  Aug.,  1779. 

Dear  Sir  : 

I  received  your  letter, -the  moment  I  was  setting  out  to 
meet  the  legislature  at  Kingston,  or  I  should  have  answered 
it  sooner. 

I  perfectly  agree  with  your  other  friends,  that  you  ought 
to  appeal  from  the  determination  of  the  board  of  general  offi- 
cers, to  the  justice  of  Congress,  respecting  your  rank;  and  it  is 
my  opinion  that  you  can  not  with  propriety  resign,  until  this 

"*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  227 

shall  prove  ineffectual.  I  am  sensible  your  situation  is  a  deli- 
cate one;  but  it  might  equally  subject  you  to  censure,  to  quit 
the  service  without  first  pursuing  the  proper  measures  to  ob- 
tain redress,  as  to  continue  in  it,  after  a  degradation  of  rank. 

I  enclose  you  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  men- 
tioning your  case,  and  requesting  him  to  interest  himself,  in 
obtaining  a  speedy,  and  equitable  decision.  This  letter,  you 
will  either  forward,  or  retain,  according  to  your  final  deter- 
mination on  the  subject. 

I  shall  be  happy,  whenever  it  is  in  my  power,  to  serve 
you,  and  am,  d'r  sir, 

With  great  regard, 

Your  most  ob'd.  serv., 

Geo.  Clinton.* 

Col.  Lamb. 

In  conformity  to  this  suggestion,  Col.  Lamb  addressed  a 
memoir  to  Congress,  from  which  the  following  is  extracted  :f 

West  Point,  3d  September,  1779. 
Sir: 

"  It  is  to  the  honorable  the  Congress,  sir,  and  to  them  only, 
that  I  must  look  for  redress,  and  that  justice,  which  the  board 
have  denied  me.  And  as  it  is  a  matter  in  which  I  am  deeply 
interested,  and  of  the  utmost  importance  to  my  happiness;  I 
flatter  myself,  that  the  honorable  the  Congress,  will  be  so  in- 
dulgent as  to  pardon  my  troubling  them  on  so  disagreeable 
a  subject.  And  I  have  to  request,  that  they  will  please  to  di- 
rect, that  the  operations  of  this  decision  of  the  board  of  gene- 
ral officers,  be  suspended  'til  I  can  be  favored  with  a  hearing; 
either  before  Congress,  or  a  committee  appointed  by  them 
for  that  purpose. 

As  it  is  more  than  probable,  that  the  operations  of  the 
campaign,  may  require  my  presence  in  the  field  'til  the  close 
of  it,  I  thought  it  most  consistent  with  my  duty,  to  make  the 
application  in  this  manner:  and  shall  esteem  myself  highly 
honored  to  be  favored  with  a  line  on  the  subject. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  ob'd.,  hum.  serv., 
His  Excellency,  John  Lamb.J 

John  Jay,  Esq. 

Col.  Lamb,  after  preferring  his  petition  to  Congress,  con- 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  J  Idem. 


228  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

tinued  in  the  discharge  of  the  functions  of  his  command; 
which  was  in  truth,  no  sinecure;  as  much  irregularity  ex- 
isted in  the  laboratories  in  the  eastern  towns.  The  severity 
of  these  duties,  brought  on  a  painful  attack  of  illness,  which 
prevented  him  from  meeting  the  Commander-in-Chief  at 
West  Point*  He  received  exhilarating  news  in  a  letter 
of  13th  Sep.,  from  Gen.  Knox,  informing  him  of  the  appear- 
ance of  a  French  fleet  off  the  Hook;  and  the  strong  proba- 
bility of  an  advance  of  our  army  on  New  York;  but  this 
news  proved  to  be  fabricated,  and  was  contradicted  a  few 
days  after,!  in  a  letter  from  Lieut.  Col.  Carrington;  and  an- 
other rumor,  equally  as  fallacious,  substituted  in  its  steadf.  As 
a  sample  of  these,  the  letter  of  Col.  Carrington  is  given  at 
length. 

New  Windsor,  Sept.  23,  1779. 
D'r  Col. 

The  bearer  brings  you  a  letter  from  Gen.  Knox,  which  I 
was  requested  to  forward  you  immediately.  He  will  also 
deliver  you  the  tables  ofjMortar  practice,  which  Jyou  was 
kind  enough  to  lend  me;  all  except  the  one,  on  which  you 
noted  I  might  retain.  Those  tables,  I  have  copied,  and  send 
them  back,  accompanied  by  one  which  Major  Bauman  gave 
me  for  you. 

A  report  prevailed  yesterday  of  the  evacuation  of  the  Posts 
at  Kings  Ferry,  and  may  probably  have  reached  you.  How- 
ever, we  learn  this  morning  that  it  was  premature.  We 
have  it  also,  that  some  prisoners  who  have  escaped  from 
New  York,  report  that  a  few  days  ago,  intelligence  had  come 
to  Sir  Harry,  that  a  French  or  Spanish  fleet  was  off  the  coast 
of  Georgia;  in  consequence  of  which,  orders  were  immedi- 
ately dispatched  to  call  the  troops  lately  embarked  back 
again.  By  this  I  think  we  may  learn  that  they  were  destined 
for  the  southward.  This  wretch  seems  much  embarrassed! 
frustrated  in  his  views  on  all  hands!  But  what  can  he  do? 
Alass!  how  are  the  mighty  fallen. 

WTe  also  hear,  that  a  party  of  the  enemy  near  Croton,  was 
taken  yesterday,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty.  Only 
a  report. 

I  am  yours  sincerely, 

Ed.  Carrington.J 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  229 

These  rumors  were  constantly  occurring,  as  every  deserter, 
many  of  them  concealed  spies,  devised  that  which  would  be 
likely  to  ensuie  him  the  most  favorable  reception. 

A  general  order  had  been  issued  to  authorize  the  recruiting 
of  men  of  the  State  lines,  enlisted  for  a  term,  to  be  enrolled 
into  the  continental  service,  during  the  war.  And  as  it  was 
understood,  that  a  number  of  those  of  the  Connecticut  line, 
were  willing  to  join  the  artillery  upon  those  conditions,  orders 
were  given  to  fill  up  the  companies  of  Lamb's  regiment  from 
those  corps.*  This  design  was  for  a  while  frustrated  by 
Gen.  Parsons,  who  pretended  that  infantry  companies  only 
were  to  be  thus  filled.f  Col.  Lamb  therefore  made  a  repre- 
sentation at  head  quarters,  of  this  vexatious  interference,  and 
the  Commander-in-Chief  directed  Gen.  Parsons  to  withdraw 
his  opposition;  upon  which  no  further  molestation  was  ex- 
perienced from  that  quarter;  and  the  recruiting  officers  de- 
tached, proceeded  to  fill  up  the  skeleton  companies,  and  put 
them  in  a  formidable  condition  for  service.J 

The  posts  at  Stoney  Point,  and  Verplanck's,  at  last,  were 
abandoned  by  the  enemy.  The  Commander-in-Chief  ordered 
them  to  be  put  in  an  efficient  situation  for  defence,  and  pre- 
paration to  receive  a  garrison.  The  news  at  camp  seemed 
to  indicate  an  advance  to  the  city,§  and  it  appears  that  the 
situation  of  the  men  in  the  Highlands,  during  the  campaign 
of  1779,  was  not  dissimilar  in  regard  to  clothing,  to  their 
condition  during  the  preceding  winters.||  Col.  Lamb  was 
frequently  distressed  by  the  complaint  of  his  officers,  and  one 
in  particular,  who  had  endured  with  him,  the  hardships,  and 
misfortunes  of  the  Canadian  expedition,  wrote  thus: 

West  Point,  11th  Oct.,  1779. 
"  The  distressed  situation  of  the  men  for  want  of  clothes, 
is  deplorable.  There  are  sixteen  of  them  almost  naked,  and 
bare  footed.  I  had  only  one  pair  of  shoes  for  forty-five  men, 
at  the  last  drawing.  There  are  three,  or  four  coats,  in  the 
company,  and  about  as  many  shoes,  and  stockings.     It  is 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.    t  Idem.    }  Idem.     $Idem.    ||  Idem. 


230  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

my  duty  to  represent  the  above  circumstances,  to  you;  being 
the  only  person  that  can  remedy  these  evils.* 

Col.  Lamb  now  received  the  following  instructions  from 
Gen.  Knox: 

New  Windsor,  22  Novem'r  1779. 
Dear  Sir: 

"  You  will  please  to  examine  the  different  posts,  at  and 
near  West  Point,  and  direct  the  number  and  size  of  the  can- 
non, and  quantity  of  ammunition,  which  shall  be  put  into 
each,  respectively,  that  is  finished  for  their  reception,  accord- 
ing to  an  arrangement  made  by  Generals  McDougall,  Du 
Portail,  and  myself,  and  approved  by  His  Excellency,  the 
Commander-in-Chief;  a  copy  of  which  is  given  to  you.  It 
is  also  necessary  that  you  should  examine  whether  the  posts 
at  Verplanck's,  and  Stoney  Points,  are  finished  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  cannon,  designed  for  them.  If  they  are  prepared, 
or  when  they  shall  be,  you  will  direct  the  cannon,  which  has 
been  pointed  out  to  you,  and  a  proportionable  quantity  of 
ammunition,  (about  twenty-five  or  thirty  rounds  for  each 
piece,  with  a  sub,  and  fifteen  or  twenty  men  to  manage  them.) 
The  artillery  men  of  the  garrison,  will  consist  of  Moodies, 
Walker's,  and  Fleming's  companies,  of  your  battalion;  and 
Sewell's,  Dinnel's,  Wells',  and  Burbeck's  companies,  of  the 
3d  battalion." 

"  After  you  have  performed  these  services,  you  will  please 
take  upon  you,  the  duties  of  the  office  of  Surveyor  of  the  Ord- 
nance of  the  United  States,  to  which  you  were  appointed  by 
the  board  of  war  and  ordnance.  You  will  receive  particular 
instructions  from  them  and  me,  on  the  subject.f 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  231 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Derangement  of  Quarter-Master's  Department. — Depot  at  Litchfield. — 
Congress  neglect. — Ordered  to  Springfield. — Letter  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  War. — Report  of  Surveyor. — Distress  of  the  Army. — De- 
preciation of  Currency. — Exorbitant  Prices  of  Necessaries. — New  Or- 
ganization of  Artillery. — Recommended  by  Gen.  Knox. — Referred  to 
Lamb  from  Department  of  War. — Lamb  against  it. — Adopted. — De- 
monstrations against  the  Highlands. — Ordered  to  West  Point. — Affair 
of  Springfield. — Concentration  near  West  Point. — Defect  of  Transpor- 
tation. 

Great  inconvenience  had  been  experienced  in  all  parts  of 
the  public  service,  in  consequence  of  the  distance  between 
Springfield  and  Farmington,  the  principal  depots  and  labo- 
ratories for  the  army,  and  the  North  River;  and  much  time 
had  been  lost  in  the  transportation  of  munitions  of  war,  from 
those  remote  places.  Col.  Lamb,  had  early  in  1778,  called 
the  attention  of  the  head  of  the  artillery  department,  to  this 
subject,*  and  recommended  the  establishment  of  a  depot,  and 
laboratory,  at  Litchfield,  in  Connecticut,  as  a  place  from 
which  supplies  could  be  sent  in  every  direction,  with  greater 
facility,  and  despatch,  than  from  the  present  arsenals. 

Although  the  opinion  of  Gen.  Knox,  coincided  with  that 
of  his  subordinate,  nothing  was  done  by  Congress,  to  alter 
the  existing  arrangements.  As  soon  as  Gen.  Gates  had  as- 
sumed the  command  in  the  Highlands,  Col.  Lamb  addressed 
a  letter  to  him,f  reiterating  the  arguments  previously  ad- 
vanced, and  urged  upon  him,  the  great  importance  of  the 
measure;  to  this,  no  answer  was  received,  and  the  public  ser- 
vice continued  to  suffer,  for  the  want  of  a  place  of  deposit, 
more  central,  and  more  convenient  to  the  Hudson  River.  The 
loss  of  time  was  not  the  only  inconvenience  occasioned  by 

*  Lamb  papers,  N  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


232  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

these  remote  positions.  They  were  so  far  removed  from  the 
scrutiny  of  the  war  department,  that  great  remissness  in  the 
execution  of  the  necessary  orders,  had  crept  in;  and  at  a  very 
important  period,  when  the  enemy  were  expected  to  bend  their 
whole  force  on  the  Highland  passes,  much  inconvenience,  and 
even  danger,  was  occasioned  by  the  neglect  in  forwarding 
the  necessary  materiel  for  defence.*  The  board  of  war,  on 
the  6th  March,  had  commissioned  Col.  Lamb,  as  surveyor 
of  the  ordnance,  and  he  had  served  in  that  capacity,  until, 
on  the  threatened  attack  on  West  Point,  he  had  been  ordered 
to  the  command  of  that  post.f  But  Congress  had  made  very 
slender  provision  for  the  extraordinary  expenses  of  that  de- 
partment; and  Gen.  Knox  had  written  to  the  board  of  war 
on  the  subject,  but  had  received  an  answer,  so  little  satisfac- 
tory, that  he  communicated  the  result  of  his  enquiry  to  Col. 

Lamb  as  follows: J 

Morristown,  29  Dec'r,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel: 

I  have  this  moment  received  from  the  board  of  war,  an  an- 
swer to  my  letter,  written  to  them  before  I  left  New  Wind- 
sor, on  the  subject  of  your  expenses,  whilst  exercising  the 
office  of  surveyor.  They  say,  that  the  expenses  of  the  office, 
so  far  exceed  the  provision  made  by  Congress,  that  they  can- 
not desire  you  to  undertake  it;  but  that  the  department  at 
Springfield,  is  in  such  amazing  confusion,  that  they  will  un- 
dertake to  pay  your  expenses,  whilst  executing  the  business 
of  inspecting  that  department.  Thus,  the  most  useful  office 
is  likely  to  fail,  for  want  of  support.  I  beg  you  will  please 
to  write  me  on  the  subject  as  soon  as  possible. 
I  am,  dear  Sir, 

Your  hum'e  serv't, 

H.  Knox.§ 
Colonel  Lamb. 

This  letter  was  followed  by  an  order  from  the  war  depart- 
ment, in  these  terms: 

War  and  Ordnance  Department,  Decem'er  24,  1779. 
Sir: 

The  affairs  at  Springfield  are  in  amazing  confusion.     We 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         fldem.         J  Idem.         $Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  233 

hear  perpetual  complaints,  which  from  our  distance  from  the 
post,  we  can  neither  enquire  into,  nor  remedy.  We  must, 
therefore,  beg  you  will  proceed  to  the  post,  and  strictly  ex- 
amine into  all  circumstances  there;  in  which  we  mean  to  in- 
clude, the  character,  abilities,  and  so  far  as  you  can  judge, 
the  conduct  of  the  officers,  who  are  not  necessary;  what  work 
is  done  in  a  given  time;  the  situation  of  the  buildings,  and 
stores,  and  in  short,  every  thing  you  deem  necessary,  to  ena- 
ble you  to  make  to  us  a  full  report.  We  depend  much  on 
your  information,  to  enable  us  to  adjust  the  business  at 
Springfield,  which  seems  to  have  been  confused  and  clogged 
by  a  clashing  of  power  among  the  principal  officers,  either 
real  or  assumed;  and  a  feud  too,  imprudently  kept  alive,  be- 
tween the  artificers,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  place.  As  we 
wish  to  make  reformations  to  save  expense,  we  shall  be  glad 
of  your  ready  compliance  with  our  request,  and  the  more  es- 
pecially, as  we  have  detained  a  sum  of  money,  destined  for 
the  works  at  Springfield,  until  better  convinced  of  the  pru- 
dence with  which  it  will  be  disbursed,  and  the  necessity  of 
its  advance.  Your  travelling  charges  will  be  borne.  We 
shall  be  glad  of  a  report  in  writing. 
We  are,  Sir, 

With  much  esteem, 

Your  very  Obed't  Servants, 

Richard  Peters. 

By  Order.* 
Col.  John  Lamb, 

Surveyor  Ordnance. 

All  other  branches  of  this  order,  were  more  agreeable  to 
the  feelings  of  Col.  Lamb,  than  the  inquisitorial  part;  but 
it  was  not  in  his  nature  to  decline  any  public  service,  how- 
ever unpleasant.  He  proceeded  to  execute  the  prelimi- 
nary duties  assigned  him,  previous  to  his  orders,  and  on  his 
arrival  at  Springfield,  he  found  that  the  apprehensions  of  the 
board,  had  not  been  merely  conjectural.  The  greatest  dis- 
order prevailed  in  every  branch  of  the  department,  and  nu- 
merous schemes  of  peculation  were  exhausting  the  appropri- 
ations of  the  government;!  artizans  were  kept  in  the  pay  of 
the  public,  whose  services,  were  more  necessary  to  the  emolu- 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc,  fldem. 

30 


234  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

ment  and  convenience  of  the  superintendents,  than  to  the 
government;  and  these  were  permitted  to  labor  for  the  citi- 
zens on  their  own  account,  after  the  stated  hours  of  occupa- 
tion for  the  public*  A  system,  by  which  frauds  were  com- 
mitted, and  peculations  practised  upon  the  materials  provided 
for  the  public;  shoemakers  and  tailors,  were  in  constant 
employ,  when  it  was  difficult  to  discover  to  whose  use  their 
manufactures  could  be  legitimately  applied.  To  these  were 
added,  an  infinity  of  abuses:  mere  boys,  the  sons  of  the  em- 
ployees were  engaged  as  clerks,  with  the  pay  and  emolu- 
ments of  captains  in  the  line.f 

Colonel  Lamb  was  not  backward  in  denouncing  these 
abuses,  which  he  did  in  a  very  elaborate  report, J  of  the  21st 
February,  1780,  recommending  a  reduction,  and  a  new  or- 
ganization of  the  department;  in  which  the  duties  of  the 
whole  were  properly  balanced,  and  a  due  system  of  command, 
and  accountability  established  and  perfected. 

His  journey  to  Springfield,  was  much  retarded  by  the 
severity  of  the  weather,  and  the  prodigious  snow  storms, 
which  prevailed  at  that  season;  (memorized  as  the  Hard 
Winter;)  the  exposure  to  which,  together  with  the  arduous 
duties  of  his  mission,  brought  on  an  attack  of  his  old  com- 
plaint, and  in  a  short  time  after  he  reached  the  residence  of 
his  family  at  Southington,  a  violent  fit  of  the  gout,  set  in, 
which  confined  him  at  home  for  nearly  three  months;  and  he 
did  not  reach  his  post  at  Fishkill,  until  the  14th  June. 

While  he  was  suffering  the  pains  of  illness  in  his  bed,  his 
comrades  in  the  field,  were  encountering  all  the  horrors  of 
the  climate,  aided  by  the  miseries  of  starvation.  Gen.  Knox, 
from  Morristown,  6th  January,  1780,  wrote  as  follows  : 

"  The  army  at  this  place,  has  been  miserably  in  want  of 
provisions;  five  days  without  beef,  and  as  many  at  another 
time,  without  flour.  It  ought  to  astonish  the  bulk  of 
America,  that  her  veteran  soldiers  bear  it  with   a  degree 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         f  Idem.         J  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  235 

of  fortitude,  and  patience,  unexampled  by  the  people  at 
large.  But  the  curse  of  it  is,  that  all  this  is  borne  for  a  peo- 
ple, who  seem  to  pay  but  little  regard  to  their  sufferings:  a 
precious  little  more,  than  if  the  army  were  Britons."* 
.  The  military  chest  was  empty:  the  means,  and  even  the 
personal  credit  of  the  Commissary  General  were  exhausted  ; 
and  he  was  compelled  to  annnounce  to  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  his  utter  inability  to  procure  farther  supplies  for  the 
army  ;  and  Washington  was  forced  to  sustain  them,  in  a  sea- 
son of  uncommon  scarcity,  by  requisitions  in  kind,  from  the 
several  states.f  Added  to  these  evils,  the  currency  had 
reached  that  state  of  depreciation,  as  to  have  become  almost 
valueless.  In  the  language  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  "  the 
pay  of  a  Major  General,  would  no  longer  hire  an  express  ri- 
der ;  and  that  of  a  Captain,  would  not  purchase  the  shoes 
in  which  he  marched."J 

Col.  Lamb,  although,  in  consequence  of  his  illness,  in  a 
country  removed  from  the  proximity  of  the  army,  and  in 
comparative  plenty,  found  great  difficulty  in  procuring  the 
articles  necessary  to  the  subsistence,  and  comfort  of  his  family 
in  his  immediate  vicinity  :  he  therefore  wrote  to  a  relative 
and  friend  at  Boston,  to  make  for  him  the  requisite  pur- 
chases, and  received  the  following  reply  : 

Boston,  May  29,  1780.  — 
"  The  next  day  after  I  received  yours,  I  went  from  shop 
to  shop,  and  enquired  for  the  articles  you  wrote  for,  and  the 
prices.  Many  of  the  articles  could  not  be  purchased  for 
paper  money.  In  the  evening  I  sat  down  and  made  a  cal- 
culation what  the  articles  you  wrote  for  would  cost :  I  found 
by  the  computation,  that  it  would  be  seven  thousand  pounds 
lawful  money.  I  declined  making  a  purchase,  'til  I  could 
have  your  answer,  as  it  is  a  great  sum,  for  so  few  articles, 
as  bad  as  the  money  is."  || 

The  President  of  Congress,  in  a  visit,  to  camp  proposed  to 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Marshal.  J  Idem. 

||  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


236  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

General  Knox,  that  two  companies  of  Lamb's  regiment, 
should  be  attached  to  that  of  Col.  Proctor,  and  their  places 
supplied  by  an  equal  number  to  be  raised  in  the  state  of 
New  Jersey.  The  proposition  being  submitted  to  the  board 
of  war,  produced  the  following  correspondence. 

War  Office,  March  2,   1780. 
Sir: 

The  enclosed  is  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Knox, 
to  the  board,  on  the  subject  of  making  some  new  arrange- 
ments in  your  regiment  and  Col.  Proctor's. 

The  board  request  your  sentiments,  upon  the  proposed  al- 
teration, as  early  as  possible. 

I  am  sir,  your  most  obedient  serv't. 
By  order, 
Ben.  Stoddert,| 
Col.  Lamb.  Secretary. 

This  letter  met  with  much  delay,  and  when  received,  was 
answered  as  follows  : 

Southington,  1st.  April,  1780. 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  favor  of  the  2d  ultimo,  inclosing  Brig.  Gen.  Knox's 
letter  of  the  30th  January,  did  not  reach  my  hands  'til  yes- 
terday, or  I  should  have  done  myself  the  honor  of  answer- 
ing it  sooner. 

I  can  not  possibly  conceive  how  the  two  companies  of  my 
regiment  that  were  raised  in  Pennsylvania  can,  On  any  prin- 
ciple of  equity,  be  excluded  from  participating  of  the  liberal 
provisions  made  by  that  state  :  especially,  as  they  are  re- 
turned to  your  board,  agreeably  to  a  resolution  of  Congress, 
as  part  of  their  quota  of  troops.  As  those  companies  are 
frequently  detached  from  the  regiment,  it  is  in  General  Knox's 
power,  to  make  such  an  arrangement  respecting  them,  as  he 
may  think  is  most  conducive  to  the  service.  They  may  there- 
fore be  brigaded  with  the  Pennsylvania  line,  which  will  re- 
move the  inconvenience  complained  of  by  President  Reade, 
as  it  will  put  them  in  a  situation  to  receive  every  benefit  and 
advantage  intended  them  by  the  state. 

If  local  policy,  and  the  convenience  of  particular  states, 
or  individuals,  is  to  be  adopted,  the  same  objection  that  has 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y,  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  237 

been  made  by  President  Reade,  with  respect  to  the  compa- 
nies raised  in  Pennsylvania,  may  with  equal  propriety,  be 
made  by  the  states  of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  whose 
troops  compose  part  of  my  regiment,  likewise. 

Should  the  state  of  Jersey,  agree  to  raise  two  companies 
of  artillery  on  the  principle  mentioned  in  General  Knox's 
letter,  it  will  be  a  long  time,  before  it  can  possibly  be  effected, 
and  I  doubt  whether  it  can  be  done  at  all  ;  as  there  is  a  ma- 
terial difference,  in  the  present  state  of  our  currency,  between 
a  resolution  to  raise  troops,  and  the  carrying  the  same  into 
execution.  It  is  a  melancholy  truth,  that  the  most  trifling 
present  advantage,  weighs  more  with  the  bulk  of  mankind, 
than  the  promise  of  great  rewards,  to  be  paid  them  in  future. 
And  this  disposition  is  more  apparent  in  the  soldier,  than 
any  other  ;  who  from  the  nature  of  his  calling,  reflects  that 
the  chances  of  living  to  enjoy  the  future  good,  is  much  against 
him.  He  therefore  prefers  the  present  advantage,  to  the  fu- 
ture, and  views  the  latter,  as  a  mere  shadow,  that  has  no 
other  existence,  but  in  speculation.  But  could  every  diffi- 
culty with  respect  to  raising  the  men  be  surmounted,  it  is 
more  than  probable  another  will  arise.  I  mean  that  of  the 
state's  appointing  the  officers  to  command  them  :  such  a 
measure,  would  occasion  great  uneasiness  in  the  regiment : 
and  it  would  essentially  injure  a  number  of  my  officers,  who 
would  have  an  indubitable  right  to  complain. 

The  regiment  I  have  the  honor  of  commanding,  having 
been  patronized  by  no  particular  state,  was  consequently 
raised  under  many,  and  great  disadvantages.  And  though 
I  am  well  convinced  it  has  cost  the  continent  much  less  to 
raise  it,  than  many  others,  I  flatter  myself,  it  is  equal  to  any 
in  the  service,  with  respect  to  its  officers  and  men.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  other  regiments  of  artillery  received  great  en- 
couragement and  assistance  from  the  respective  states  where 
they  were  raised.  But  mine  having  been  raised  in  different 
states,  on  a  more  extensive  scale  ;  and  being  considered  as 
the  troops  of  the  continent  at  large,  we  were  deprived  of 
those  partial  advantages  which  the  others  derived  from  their 
local  situation. 

On  the  whole  I  must  confess  it  would  be  extremely  cha- 
grining to  me,  to  have  the  regiment  dismembered,  by  lop- 
ping off  those  companies,  after  the  officers  and  men  have  ac- 
quired a  considerable  degree  of  knowledge  and  experience 
in  their  profession;  and  to  have  them  replaced  by  raw,  in- 
experienced, and  undisciplined  troops,  who  would  have  every 


238  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

thing  to  learn,  and  by  whose  misconduct,  or  want  of  expe- 
rience, the  reputation  of  the  regiment  may  be  destroyed. 

However  disagreeable  such  an  arrangement  would  be  to 
me,  I  would  readily  assent  to  it,  if  it  would  tend  to  promote 
the  service;  but  this  is  not  the  case,  as  it  can  only  affect  a 
particular  state.  And  should  the  same  partial  policy  be 
adopted  by  all  those  states  whose  troops  compose  my  regi- 
ment, it  must  consequently  be  annihilated,  and  some  of  my 
officers,  after  long  and  painful  service,  have  just  cause  of 
complaint. 

If  it  is  proper  that  the  state  of  Jersey  should  raise  two 
companies  of  artillery,  it  would  be  more  eligible,  that  the 
men  when  raised,  should  be  draughted  into  the  weakest  com- 
panies, in  the  four  regiments;  as  many  of  them  must  be  very 
thin  at  present. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Gentlemen, 

Your  Ob't  Serv't, 
The  Honorable,  John  Lamb.* 

The  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance. 

The  return  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  from  the  south,  induced 
the  Commander-in-Chief  to  believe  that  a  formidable  attempt 
would  immediately  be  made  by  the  troops  on  board  the  fleet, 
just  arrived  at  the  Hook;  and  feeling  that  a  vigorous  de- 
fence of  the  posts  on  the  Hudson  river,  might  ensure  the 
safety  of  the  army,  then  in  an  alarming  state  of  weakness, 
the  following  order  was  directed  to  issue  from  head  quarters: 

Springfield,  (N.  Jersey,)  21st  June,  1780. 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  14th  instant.  I  was  sorry  that 
you  had  been  unwell,  but  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  have 
recovered.  West  Point,  having  so  large  a  proportion  of  the 
corps  of  artillery;  and  being  of  such  great  consequence  to 
America,  demands  that  an  officer  of  high  rank  in  the  artil- 
lery should  be  there. 

You  being  acquainted  with  that  post  and  its  vicinity,  and 
other  circumstances,  point  you  out,  as  the  officer  most  proper 
to  take  that  command.  You  will  please,  therefore,  to  repair 
to  that  place,  and  inform  General  How  and  Major  Bauman 
of  this  order. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  LAMB.  239 

The  probability  of  an  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  wrest  West 
Point  from  us;  the  arrival  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  from 
Charlestown,  with  a  part  of  his  army,  and  some  good  intel- 
ligence of  his  designs,  render  it  highly  necessary  that 
every  thing  in  every  department  at  West  Point,  should  be 
placed  in  the  best  state  possible.  I  am  certain  you  will  omit 
nothing  in  the  ordnance  department."* 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  landed  and  advanced  a  great  force 
from  Elizabethtown,  to  attack  General  Greene,  on  the  23d 
June,  at  Springfield.  The  artillery  stationed  to  defend  the 
passage  of  the  Rahway,  was  very  smartly  engaged  with  that 
of  the  enemy ,f  and  Col  Lamb,  who  valued  the  reputation  of 
his  corps,  almost  as  highly  as  his  own,  was  much  gratified 
to  learn,  that  one  of  his  companies  was  very  efficient  on  that 
occasion;  but  the  reputation  that  the  regiment  acquired  by 
this  display  of  gallantry,  was  purchased  by  the  death  of 
Capt.-Lieut.  Thompson,  and  several  valuable  men. 

In  Gen,  Knox's  letter  of  the  22d,  mention  is  made  of  Maj. 
Bauman,  and  some  allusion  to  certain  characteristic  pecu- 
liarities. Of  these,  Col.  Lamb  had  a  foretaste,  on  his  arrival 
at  Fishkill.  As  his  commanding  officer  (for  Bauman  was 
the  major  of  his  regiment,)  he  wrote  him  as  follows : 

Fishkill,  22d  June,  1780.    : 
Dear  Major : 

As  the  carriage  of  the  twelve  pounder  which  is  in  the  re- 
doubt at  Stoney  Point,  is  a  bad  one,  and  the  piece  itself  is  not 
very  good;  I  wish  if  there  is  a  good  piece  of  that  calibre, 
that  can  possibly  be  spared,  you  would  send  it  to  that  post 
without  delay;  as  they  have  a  gin  there  to  remount  it.  I 
likewise  wish,  that  a  number  of  the  damaged  royals,  be  sent 
there  at  the  same  time,  as  they  will  answer  the  purpose  of 
hand  grenades,  should  the  enemy  attempt  the  redoubts,  at 
Verplanck's  and  Stoney  Point,  by  assault.  In  passing  through 
the  Continental  village,  I  have  observed  a  number  of  shells, 
which  I  have  directed  Major  Campbell  to  have  collected,  and' 
sent  to  your  post.  I  am  with  Esteem,  Yours,  &c., 

Major  Bauman.  John  Lamb.J 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  H.  S.    t  Marshall,    f  Lamb  papers.  N.  Y.  H.  S. 


240  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  person  to  whom  this  letter  was  addressed,  had  been, 
on  Col.  Lamb  being  dispatched  to  Springfield,  invested  with 
the  command  of  the  artillery,  at  West  Point;  and  enamored 
of  his  brief  authority,  was  quite  unwilling*  to  have  it  invaded, 
even  by  the  order  of  his  legitimate  superior.*  Major  Bau- 
man  was  not  willing*  to  receive  this  instruction,  so  salutary 
to  the  public,  in  any  other  than  an  advisory  light;  and  so 
signified  his  intentions.  The  arrival  of  Gen.  Knox's  letter 
was  opportune,  and  perhaps  prevented  some  unpleasant  con- 
sequences, as  will  appear  by  the  following* : 

Fishkills,  23  June,  1780. 
Dear  General: 

Your  favor  of  the  21st  instant,  was  handed  me  by  General 
How,  to  whom  I  communicated  its  contents,  agreeably  to 
your  directions.  I  shall  repair  to  West  Point  immediately, 
as  I  informed  Gen.  McDougall,  I  would  do,  previous  to  the 
receipt  of  your  letter,  as  soon  as  it  became  probable  the  ene- 
my had  any  thing  serious  in  contemplation,  with  respect  to 
that  post.  T  am  sensible  that  Major  Bauman  is  a  strange 
genius,  and  that  it  requires  the  greatest  address  to  manage  him 
without  giving  up  my  own  consequence,  as  his  superior  offi- 
cer. But  as  I  always  abhorred  punctilio,  when  unneces- 
sary, so  I  shall  wave  every  thing  of  the  kind,  when  the 
public  interest  is  immediately  concerned:  and  here  it  can 
possibly  be  done,  without  betraying  a  want  of  spirit,  or  of  at- 
tention to  the  necessary  military  forms. 
I  am  affec'y, 

Yr  Hum'e  Serv't, 

John  Lamb.| 
Brig.  Gen.  Knox. 

The  check  given  to  the  British  commander,  by  Gen.  Greene 
at  Springfield,  (N.  J.),  seemed  to  discourage  him  from  a  far- 
ther attempt  on  our  positions  by  land.|  Still  he  might  avail 
himself  of  his  naval  means,  and  assail  the  river  ports.  To  be 
prepared  for  this  event,  a  part  of  the  army  was  drawn  nearer 
to  the  points  of  attack,  to  cover  these  important  stations. 

Every  branch  of  the  public  service,  suffered  the  paralyzing 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         t  Marshall.         \  Lamb  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  241 

effects  of  an  empty  treasury.  Munitions  of  war,  were  on 
hand,  but  these  were  inefficient,  for  the  want  of  means  to 
transport  them,  to  the  points  where  they  were  most  wanted. 
Evidence  of  this  will  be  found  in  the  following  letter:* 

Ramapaugh,  29  June,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

"  I  have  but  just  returned  from  Trenton,  where  I  have  been 
on  public  business.  The  enemy  will,  I  believe,  be  cautious 
how  they  invest  West  Point,  under  their  present  circumstan- 
ces; but  in  any  case  I  hope  the  place  will  be  found  in  the 
best  situation  of  defence,  our  means  will  admit. 

I  have  repeatedly  demanded  a  much  greater  quantity  of 
powder  than  is  there  at  present,  but  have  not  been  able  to 
obtain  it.  We  have  at  Pompton,  and  Mount  Hope  furnaces, 
between  five  and  six  thousand  eighteen  pound  balls,  and  three 
thousand  shells,  for  the  French  9  inch  mortars,  but  I  have  not 
been  able  to  have  them  transported  to  Wrest  Point,  by  reason 
of  the  utter  inability  of  the  Quarter-Master  General's  depart- 
ment." 


*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y .  His.  Soc. 


31 


242  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Meditated  Attack  on  New  York. — Opinions  of  Officers  relative  to  French 
Armies. — Erroneous. — Succeeds  to  the  Command  of  the  Post,  and  De- 
partment.— Scant  Rations. — Knox's  Letter. — Quarter-Master  General 
resigns. — Embarrassments  of  the  Army. — New  York. — Arnold  to  com- 
mand the  Highlands. — Mr.  Duer's  Letter. — Moody  a  Spy. — Derange- 
ment of  the  Department. — Correspondence  with  Arnold. — Prisoners 
ordered  to  Camp — Moody  detained. — Lamb's  Opinion  against. — Ar- 
nold weakens  the  Garrison. —  Lamb  remonstrates. —  Correspondence 
with  Arnold.— Malcom.— Knox.— 1780. 

The  situation  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  of  the  army, 
was  extremely  embarrassing.  The  arrival  of  the  auxiliaries 
from  France,  was  hourly  expected,  and  no  plans  of  coopera- 
ion,  were  formed  for  the  exigency;  nor  could  Washington 
venture  upon  any  determination,  from  the  want  of  knowledge 
of  the  intentions  of  Congress,  and  the  States.*  It  was  hoped 
that  the  fleet  would  be  sufficiently  powerful,  to  drive  that  of 
Great  Britain  off  the  coast,  or  to  enable  the  French  Admiral 
to  attack  New  York  in  conjunction  with  the  American  army.f 
But  the  situation  of  that  army,  and  its  rescources  were  not  such 
as  to  enable  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  enter  with  confidence 
into  definitive  arrangements;  and  the  direct  attack  on  the  city 
was  abandoned.  The  French  commander,  by  force  of  these 
circumstances,  instead  of  entering  the  Hook,  made  his  land- 
ing at  Rhode  Island. J 

Great  diversity  of  opinion  prevailed  in  the  army  respect- 
ing the  employment  of  the  French  land  forces;  and  that  mea- 
sure, afterwards  found  so  efficacious,  met  with  severe  repre- 
hension from  many  of  the  officers;  among  them  was  Major 
Shaw,  the  aid-de-camp  of  Gen.  Knox,  who  seems  to  have 
been  a  liberal  thinker,  and  not  backward,  to  speak  his  senti- 
ments on  the  occasion,  as  will  appear  by  the  following  letter: 

♦Marshall.  t  Idem.  i  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  243 

Camp  at  Prakenis,  12  July,  1780. 

"  We  have  accounts  here,  via:  New  York,  which  look  very 
like  a  certainty,  of  the  French  armament  being  on  the  coast. 
The  Gaudaloupe  man  of  war  has  been  so  hard  chased  by  this 
fleet,  that  she  was  obliged  to  throw  over  her  guns,  and  spars, 
in  order  to  get  out  of  their  way.  This  intelligence  has  oc- 
casioned a  vast  bustle  in  New  York,  and  the  Britons,  with 
their  adherents,  are  making  mighty  preparations,  to  ward  off 
the  impending  blow. 

As  an  American  citizen,  I  rejoice  in  the  prospect  of  so 
speedy,  and  I  hope  an  effectual  aid;  but  as  a  soldier,  I  am 
dissatisfied.  How  will  it  sound  in  history,  that  the  United 
States  of  America,  could  not,  or  rather  would  not,  make  an 
exertion,  when  the  means  were  amply  in  their  power,  which 
might  at  once  rid  them  of  their  enemies,  and  put  them  in  pos- 
session of  that  liberty,  and  safety,  for  which  wTe  have  been  so 
long  contending?  By  Heaven!  if  our  rulers  had  any  mo- 
desty, they  would  blush  at  the  idea  of  calling  in  foreign  aid ! 
'Tis  really  abominable,  that  we  should  send  to  France  for 
soldiers,  when  there  are  so  many  sons  of  America  idle.  Such 
a  step  ought  not  (had  these  great  men,  any  sensibility),  to 
have  been  taken,  until  the  strength  of  the  country  had  been 
nearly  exhausted,  and  our  freedom  tottering  on  the  brink  of 
ruin.  Let  us  be  indebted  to  France,  Spain,  or  even  to  the 
devil  himself,  if  he  could  furnish  it,  for  a  navy,  because  we 
can  not  get  one  seasonably  among  ourselves;  but  do  let  us, 
unless  we  are  contented  to  be  transmitted  to  posterity  with 
disgrace,  make  an  exertion  of  our  own  strength  by  land,  and 
not  owe  our  independence  entirely  to  our  allies."* 

In  these  sentiments,  Col.  Lamb  heartily  coincided,!  and  it 
is  probable  that  the  dissatisfaction  with  the  employment  of 
the  French  land  forces,  was  extensive;  but  these  opinions 
were  unfounded.  There  was  no  probability  that  Congress 
could,  in  the  deranged  condition  of  the  pecuniary  affairs  of 
the  country,  procure  the  necessary  funds  for  the  embodyment 
of  an  efficient  army.  The  auxiliary  aid  of  the  French  land 
forces,  was  not  only  the  means  of  adding  to  our  physical 
strength,  but  the  formidable  preparations  of  France,  gave  an 
impulse  to  the  people  at  home,  and  animated  them  to  exer- 

*  Lamb  papers,    N.  Y.  His.  Soc  f  Idem, 


244  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

tion,  and  at  the  same  time,  inspired  confidence  abroad  in  the 
ultimate  success  of  the  struggle,  which  raised  the  credit  of 
the  country  with  the  bankers  of  Europe. 

While  Col.  Lamb  was  sustaining  a  hazardous,  and  honor- 
able command,  and  head  of  an  important  department;  his  si- 
tuation in  regard  to  emolument,  was  very  similar  to  that  of 
the  secretary  of  the  Duke  of  Lerma,  memorized  by  Le  Sage, 
and  he  was  placed  in  a  situation  to  ruin  himself  effectually, 
by  the  enormous  personal  expenses,  imposed  upon  him  by 
his  station.*  West  Point  was  an  object  of  curiosity;  pri- 
vate, and  official  visitors,  and  public  messengers,  without 
number,  were  constantly  arriving.  It  was  not  in  his  nature 
to  fail  in  any  duty  of  hospitality,  and  Congress  had  stinted 
his  supplies  in  a  most  extraordinary  manner.  These  incon- 
veniences were  expressed  to  Gen.  Knox,  and  produced  the 
following  letter  in  reply  :f 

Camp  Prakenis,  12  July,  1780. 
"  It  pains  me  exceedingly,  to  think  of  your  situation,  as 
commanding  officer  of  artillery,  so  humiliating  as  to  be  obliged 
to  subsist  on  one  ration  only,  when  your  important  charge, 
involves  you  in  a  much  greater  expense,  than  any  Colonel 
commandant  of  a  brigade.  This  I  have  faithfully  represented 
to  the  General,  some  time  ago,  when  I  gave  you  orders  to  re- 
pair to  West  Point.  He  seemed  to  accede  to  the  propriety 
of  my  representation,  but  thought  he  could  not  remedy  the 
matter,  without  establishing  a  precedent  that  might  have 
disagreeable  consequences."! 

It  would  seem  that  the  unpleasant  situation  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, could  not  well  be  aggravated.  He  was 
pledged  by  Congress  to  active  cooperation  with  the  com- 
mander of  the  French  forces,  while  that  body  had  made  very 
little  progress  to  enable  him  to  redeem  these  pledges;  and 
when  at  a  venture,  he  had  resolved  upon  a  forward  move- 
ment of  the  army;  a  new  organization  of  the  general  staff, 
compelled  the  Quarter-Master  to  resign  his   commission^ 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.       t  Idem.        J  Idem.        $  Marshall. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMR  245 

Yet  notwithstanding  the  embarrassment  occasioned  by  this 
measure,  he  still  determined  upon  an  approach  to  New  York, 
and  orders  for  the  march  were  given.  The  evening  these  or- 
ders were  issued,  Gen.  Arnold  arrived  in  camp,  preparatory 
to  assuming  the  command  of  the  Highland  Army.*  In  the 
plan  of  operations,  it  was  contemplated  that  Col.  Lamb  should 
join  the  army,  with  part  of  the  artillery;  f  but  news  arriving 
the  next  day  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  returned  from  the 
eastward,  he  was  ordered  to  resume  his  command  at  West 
Point,  and  to  detatch  four  of  the  most  efficient  companies  of 
artillery;  thereby  weakening  the  garrison  nearly  one-half. J 
Col.  Lamb  was  no  way  satisfied  with  the  dismemberment  of 
his  forces,  and  expressed  his  uneasiness  in  the  following  letter 
of  8th  August,  to  Gen.  Knox: 

"  The  enemy,  under  the  command  of  Brandt,  and  Butler,  are 
laying  waste  the  upper  part  of  this  state.  These  operations, 
I  conceive,  are  intended  as  a  diversion  to  draw  the  militia 
that  way,  and  afford  Sir  Harry  an  opportunity  of  attempting 
this  post,  by  a  coup  de  main;  this  would  not,  in  my  opinion, 
be  a  very  arduous  undertaking,  in  the  present  state  of  this 
garrison,  and  this  state,  the  enemy  will  not  long  be  ignorant 
of.  There  is  no  dependence  to  be  placed  upon  such  militia, 
who  are  badly  officer'd.  The  night  before  last,  the  guard 
suffered  three  tory  prisoners  to  escape;  and  last  night,  four 
more.  I  am  not  apt  to  conjure  up  phantoms,  nor  to  antici- 
pate disagreeable  events,  but  I  do  not  like  the  present  situa- 
tion of  matters  here."§ 

On  that  same  evening,  the  following  letter  was  received, 
directed  to  the  commanding  officer  at  West  Point : 

Rhinebeck,  Aug.  7,  1780. 
Sir: 

I  esteem  it  my  duty  to  inform  you,  that  there  is  a  certain 
Lieut.  Moody,  now  at  Fishkill,  a  Lt.  in  the  enemy's  new  le- 
vies, who  was  taken  up  lately  in  Jersey,  with  a  commission 
and  instructions  from  Gen.  Knyphausen,  to  seize  Governor 
Livingston.      Notwithstanding  this,  and  several  other  cir~ 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         f  Idem.         J  Idem.         $  Idem. 


246  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

cumstances,  which  I  am  informed  from  good  authority,  Gov. 
Livingston  is  acquainted  with,  he  is  now  on  his  parole,  and 
will  probably  soon  make  his  escape  from  (to)  the  enemy; 
and  thereby  escape  the  fate,  he  so  richly  deserves,  of  being 
hung  as  a  spy.  I  am  informed  this  person  was  sent  off  in  a 
hurry  to  West  Point,  at  the  time  our  army  was  moving;  from 
which  circumstance,  I  presume  the  particular  circumstances 
of  his  capture  were  not  communicated.  As  I  know  your 
zeal  in  every  matter  which  may  affect  the  public  safety,  I 
am  sensible  it  will  be  sufficient  to  mention  what  I  have,  to 
induce  you  to  give  orders  for  securing  this  person,  'til  he  can 
be  tried  by  proper  authority.  As  soon  as  this  is  effected, 
Gov.  Livingston  will,  I  am  sure,  be  obliged  to  you,  if  you 
will  give  him  notice,  as  he  apprehends  at  present  that  he  has 
made  his  escape. 

I  am  sir,  Your  Obed't  Hum'e  Serv't, 

Wm.  Duer.* 
Col.  Malcom,! 

Commanding  Off'r,  West  Point. 

In  consequence  of  this  letter,  Moody  was  given  in  charge 
of  the  guard  at  Fort  Putnam,  with  strict  injunctions  to 
prevent  his  escape  ;  and  the  provost  at  that  place  being  in 
a  very  unsafe  condition,  Major  Villefranche,  the  engineer, 
was  directed  to  order  the  necessary  arrangements  for  its 
security.J  At  the  same  time  the  following  letter  was  sent 
to  General  Arnold. 

West  Point,  9th  August,  1780. 
Dear  General : 

The  enclosed  letter  to  Col.  Malcom,  I  received  last  night, 
together  with  the  prisoner  mentioned  therein  ;  who  it  seems 
is  the  officer  that  was  sometime  lurking  about  in  Jersey  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  off  Governor  Livingston.  As  I 
have  received  no  official  directions  respecting  him,  I  do  not 
think  myself  authorized  to  order  him  in  irons,  but  have  given 
the  officer  of  the  guard,  particular  instructions  to  have  a 
strict  eye  over  him ;  and  that  his  men  be  directed  to  be 

*  Lamb  papers,     N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

fit  appears  from  this,  and  some  letters  of  Col.  Malcom,  that  he  was 
ordered  to  the  command  of  the  post,  in  consequence  of  Col.  Lamb  taking 
the  field,  and  that  after  the  order  was  countermanded,  Col.  M.  marched 
with  the  army. 

t  Lamb  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB,  247 

vigilant.  But  as  they  are  a  militia  guard,  you  are  sensible 
that  no  dependence  can  be  placed  upon  them.  As  this  is 
the  case,  I  wish  you  to  write  to  General  Washington,  on 
the  subject.  In  the  interim  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your 
orders  respecting  him."* 

Before  any  reply  was  received,  the  prisoner  was  put  in 
irons  ;  probably  induced  by  the  insecurity  of  the  Provost,, 
and  two  days  elapsed  before  any  answer  was  given.  Mean- 
time, by  some  connivance,  Moody  found  means  to  write  to 
General  Arnold  claiming  to  be  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  grossly 
exaggerating  the  rigor  of  his  confinement.!  The  commu- 
nication of  Moody  was  enclosed  to  Col.  Lamb,  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter. 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  1 

House,  Aug.  11,  1780.      \ 

Dear  Sir:  } 

I  enclose  you  a  letter  which  I  have  this  minute  received 
from  Ensign  Moody  ;  I  should  have  wrote  you  before  now 
on  the  subject  of  your  letter  respecting  him,  had  not  I  ex- 
pected to  have  seen  you  at  the  Point.  My  leg  being  a  little 
inflamed  has  prevented  my  coming  over. 

I  don't  think  it  justifiable  to  put  prisoners  of  war  in  irons 
as  a  punishment,  and  on  no  other  principle  but  retaliation  ; 
or  when  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  secure  them.  We  have 
rr  ade  heavy  complaints  on  that  head,  in  particular  in  the  in- 
stance of  Col.  E.  Allen.  I  believe  Moody  a  bad  man,  but 
considered  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  no  discrimination  can  be 
made,  if  he  has  observed  his  parole.  I  know  not  by  whose 
order  he  has  been  put  in  irons,  but  suppose  by  yours.  I  could 
therefore  wish  they  might  be  taken  off  by  you,  without  his 
knowing  that  I  have  interfered  in  the  matter  ;  and  that  he 
should  be  confined  in  a  manner  to  prevent  any  possibility  of 
escape. 

I  am  with  great  regard, 
Dear  Sir,  your  ob't.  humble  serv't. 
Col.  Lamb.  B#  Arnold.! 

In  answer  to  this,  Colonel  Lamb  wrote  as  follows  : 
Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Idem.  J  Idem. 


248  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

West  Point,  Aug.  12,  1780. 
Dear  General : 

Your  favor  of  yesterday  I  have  received.  In  answer  to 
which,  I  have  to  observe,  that  as  Moody  was  formerly  pa- 
rolled  by  General  Washington,  the  General  must  certainly 
have  been  informed  of  some  criminality  on  the  part  of  the 
prisoner,  which  had  not  come  to  his  knowledge  before  ; 
or  he  would  not  have  been  induced  to  deprive  him  of 
his  parole,  and  order  him  to  close  confinement.  For  my 
part,  I  view  him  in  the  light  of  a  spy,  from  every  circum- 
stance respecting  him.  And  as  he  was  brought  into  the 
garrison  in  open  day  light,  and  has  had  an  opportunity, 
(from  the  simplicity  of  the  guard,  and  the  facility  of  con- 
versing with  them)  of  knowing  the  state  of  the  garrison; 
at  least  what  kind  of  troops  it  is  composed  of ;  I  think  it 
will  be  highly  improper  to  take  off  his  irons,  and  let  him 
escape  ;  which  he  undoubtedly  will  do,  in  forty-eight  hours 
if  he  is  unshackled.  Two  more  prisoners  were  suffered  to 
escape  yesterday  at  noon  day.  I  think  this  garrison  a  very 
improper  place  to  send  prisoners  of  his  enterprising  spirit  to, 
and  I  wish  you  would  write  to  General  Washington,  on  the 
subject  as  soon  as  possible. 

Every  method  ought  to  be  taken  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
knowing  the  real  state  of  this  post.  For  altho'  they  may 
not  at  present  have  it  in  contemplation  to  attack  it  ;  yet 
when  they  are  informed  what  kind  of  troops  are  destined 
for  its  defence,  it  may  become  an  object.  And  should  they 
embark  their  troops,  and  finesse,*  as  if  they  were  going  else- 
where, and  embrace  the  opportunity  of  pushing  up  the  river 
with  a  strong  southerly  wind,  (after  landing  a  sufficient 
body  of  troops  in  Jersey  to  draw  General  Washington's  at- 
tention that  way) ,  I  know  not  what  could  prevent  it  falling 
into  their  hands. 

I  am, 

Dear  General, 

Your  ob'dt.  serv't. 
Major  Gen.  Arnold.  John  Lamb.| 

*This  was  precisely  the  plan  afterwards  adopted  by  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, as  will  appear  by  his  despatches,  and  was  probably  suggested  by 
Arnold,  from  this  letter.  If  not  it  affords  evidence  of  the  sagacity  and 
vigilance  of  the  commander  of  the  post. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE    OF    JOHx\    LAMB.  249 

These  arguments  appeared  too  cogent  to  be  controverted, 
and  the  next  day  the  order  for  the  release  of  Moody  from 
irons  was  countermanded. 

The  quarter-master  department  of  the  Highland  army, 
was  very  ill  supplied,  and  very  inefficiently  executed.  A 
detachment  of  one  hundred  men,  were  sent  from  the  garri- 
son to  Fishkill,  for  the  purpose  of  making  musket  cartridges; 
and  there  was  not  a  single  camp  kettle,  to  be  obtained,  to 
supply  their  necessities*.  The  officers  of  the  garrison  could 
not  obtain  a  single  sheet  of  paper,  upon  which  to  make  their 
returns;  even  the  commander  was  obliged  to  borrow  some  from 
Gen.  Arnold  for  that  purpose.f  And  the  public  stores  were 
plundered  by  the  soldiers,  for  want  of  locks  to  secure  them 
from  depredation.^  "  A  heavenly  situation"  (exclaimed  Col. 
Lamb  in  a  letter  to  Gen.  Knox,)  "  and  God  knows  when  it 
will  end!"§  Nor  were  the  troops  better  supplied  on  the 
march,  as  the  following  letter  from  Col.  Malcom,  who  had 
recently  commanded  the  post,  will  evince  : 

Haverstraw,  Aug.  14,  1780. 
My  Dr.  Col  : 

Here  we  are!  it  is  the  devil  !  nothing  to  cover  either  offi- 
cer or  soldier;  not  even  axes  to  cut  boughs!  I  did  not  choose 
to  take  away  the  trifling  stores  of  the  garrison,  especially  as 
I  expected  to  find  something  at  King's  Ferry.  But  all  alike; 
a  few  old  pickaxes,  are  all  the  moveables  there.  I  have  at- 
tacked the  General's  generosity.  I  thought  it  best  that  Ben- 
scoten,  should  stop  as  he  passed,  as  you  might  have  a  deli- 
cacy about  issuing  without  his  previous  acquiescence.  I 
have  heard  nothing  as  yet;  but  perhaps  to-morrow  I  may 
ride  to  H.  Q.     Three  vessels  at  T.  point. 

Your  boats  are  all  ordered  up. 

I  am  uneasy  about  your  situation,  but  the  enemy  are  not 
enterprising. 

Yours,  most  sincerely, 

W.  Malcom.[| 

We  must  have  Hughes. IT     Urge  the  General  to  provide. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.     f  Idem.     J  Idem.     $Idem.   ||  Idem. 
IT  Col.  Hugh  Hughes,  Assistant  Q.  M.  Gen.  under  Mifflin,  and  then  in 
a  different  department  under  Pickering. 

32 


250  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  garrison  at  the  point,  after  the  four  companies  of  ar- 
tillery were  sent  to  the  army,  was  already  too  weak  for  de- 
fence;* and  the  subsequent  draft  of  an  hundred  men  to 
Fiskill,  left  not  a  disposable  man  for  other  service.f  The 
Commander-in-Chief,  by  general  orders,  directed  all  the 
prisoners,  except  prisoners  of  war,  to  be  sent,  under  guard, 
to  head  quarters  at  Tappan.J  Col.  Lamb  considering  the  case 
of  Moody,  as  coming  within  the  order  to  march;  and  anx- 
ious to  get  rid  of  so  suspicious  a  person,  was  desirous  of  send- 
ing him  with  the  others  to  camp.  He  therefore  wrote,  on 
the  16th  August,  to  Gen.  Arnold,  expressing  his  views  of 
the  true  character  of  the  prisoner,  and  of  his  desire  to  include 
him  with  the  others.  At  the  same  time,  he  mentioned  the 
deficiencies  of  the  post  in  necessary  ammunition.§  "  I  am  ap- 
prehensive," (said  he,)  "that  if  the  prisoners  are  sent  by 
land,  under  a  militia  guard,  many  of  them  will  make  their 
escape  before  they  reach  head  quarters.  To  prevent  which, 
I  shall  send  them  by  water,  to  King's  Ferry.  And  as  a  far- 
ther security,  I  will  send  a  careful  sergeant,  and  six  men  of 
my  own  corps,  to  make  part  of  the  guard.  I  shall  be  happy 
if  you  will  please  to  order  Col.  Livingston  to  relieve  the 
guard,  and  send  the  prisoners  to  head  quarters,  by  a  detach- 
ment of  the  troops  under  his  command. 

"  We  have  not  more  musket  cartridges  at  present,  at  this 
post,  than  will  afford  thirty  rounds  per  man,  for  fifteen  hun- 
dred men;  and,  therefore,  can  not  possibly  permit  the  issuing 
a  single  cartridge  to  the  troops  that  remain  in  the  depart- 
ment. I  thought  it  proper  to  give  this  information,  that  you 
may  know  how  we  are  circumstanced  in  this  respect;  and 
to  prevent  any  further  draughts  being  made  on  us  for  that 
article,  'til  we  have  an  ample  supply."|| 

The  vigilance  of  the  Commander  of  West  Point,  could  not 
be  very  gratifying  to  a  man  who  had  actually  sold  it  to  the 
enemy;  yet  Arnold  in  his  reply,  commended  the  forecast  and 
diligence  displayed;  but  was  determined,  so  far  as  he  might 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.    fldem,     J  Idem,     j  Idem.     ||  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  251 

do  it  with  safety  to  himself,  to  defeat  it.*  Although  he  had 
ordered  Moody  in  irons,  he  still  chose  to  consider  him  a 
prisoner  of  war,  and  directed  him  to  be  retained  in  the  garri- 
son. Probably  estimating  him,  as  too  good  an  auxiliary  to 
the  cause  he  himself  had  embraced,  to  be  trusted  within  the 
reach  of  the  provost  marshal  of  the  camp  at  head  quarters. 
He  also  refused  to  order  the  guard  from  the  garrison,  relieved 
at  King's  Ferry,  under  the  plea  that  Colonel  Livingston, 
who  was  the  commander  of  the  posts  there,  was  already  too 
weak.f 

While  Col.  Lamb  was  so  unwilling  to  part  with  the  small 
force  necessary  to  guard  the  prisoners  on  their  way  to  camp ; 
and  was  conquering  his  vexation  as  well  as  he  could,  at  the 
refusal  to  restore  that  detachment  to  the  garrison,  he  received 
the  astounding  intelligence  that  he  was  to  be  still  farther 
weakened  by  the  requisition  of  Arnold  to  furnish  two  hundred 
men  for  the  purpose  of  being  employed  by  the  D.  Q.  M. 
Gen'l  in  cutting  fuel  for  the  different  posts.|  Against  this 
blow,  he  did  what  was  possible  to  guard  himself,  and  wrote 
the  following  letter,  the  least  cordial  in  its  terms,  that  had 
ever  passed  between  him  and  Arnold  : 

West  Point,  Aug.  18,  1780. 
Dear  General: 

I  have  to  inform  you  that  I  have  this  day  sent  off  the  pri- 
soners to  head  quarters.  I  mentioned  to  Major  Franks,  yes- 
terday, that  two  hundred  men  from  the  Massachusetts  brigade, 
were  sent  to  Fishkill,  previous  to  your  arrival.  What  occa- 
sion there  is  for  such  a  guard  at  that  place,  I  can  not  possibly 
conceive.     Half  the  number,  will  be  sufficient. 

If  such  draughts  as  are  called  for  are  made  from  the  gar- 
rison, we  shall  neither  be  able  to  finish  the  works  that  are 
incomplete,  nor  in  a  situation  to  defend  those  that  are  finished. 
Capt.  Hubbel  will  explain  to  you,  the  reasons  why  the  men 
ordered  for  cutting  fire-wTood,  are  still  here.  They  are  wait- 
ing your  farther  orders  respecting  them. 

I  am  Dear  Gen'l,  Y'rs,  &c. 

Major  General  Arnold.  John  LaxMB.§ 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem.  \  Idem.  $  Idem. 


252  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

In  this  mood,  he  answered  the  letter  of  Col.  Malcom  of 
the  14th,  and  the  following  extract  will  disclose  the  bitter- 
ness of  his  mortification. 

West  Point,  18th  Aug.,  1780. 
"  What  will  become  of  this  garrison  ?  Hay  has  called 
upon  the  General  for  two  hundred  wood-cutters,  which  the 
General  has  complied  with.  Exclusive  of  the  guards,  we  have 
between  four  and  five  hundred  men,  daily  on  fatigue.  This  is 
murder  to  a  garrison  whose  troops  ought  to  have  some  little 
discipline."* 

Still  in  the  hope  that  Arnold  might  relent,  and  not  persist 
in  detailing  so  effective  a  part  of  the  garrison,  Col.  Lamb 
wrote  him  another  letter,  reminding  him  of  the  useless  de- 
tachment of  the  Massachusetts  men  at  Fishkill,  and  giving 
him  further  information  of  the  state  of  his  defences.f 

West  Point,  19th  Aug.,  1780. 
Dear  General  : 

I  have  to  inform  you,  that  we  could  not  turn  out  this 
morning,  more  men  than  were  necessary  for  the  fatigue  and 
guards;  and  as  it  wras  not  expressed  in  general  orders  of  yes- 
terday, whether  the  two  hundred  men  ordered  for  the  pur- 
pose of  cutting  fire-wood  for  the  garrison,  should  march  im- 
mediately for  Fishkill,  or  wait  'til  the  officer  commanding 
them,  shall  receive  directions  from  Col.  Hay,  I  have  thought 
it  proper  to  order  them  on  the  necessary  fatigue  of  the  gar- 
rison, till  your  pleasure  should  be  known.J 

Col.  Lamb  had  been  compelled,  on  several  occasions,  to 
complain  of  the  neglect  of  the  quarter  master's  department, 
and  the  general  inefficiency  of  that  branch  of  the  service.§ 
It  is  palpable  from  the  answer  of  Gen.  Knox,  that  the  same 
evils  were  felt  with  great  severity,  at  head  quarters;  and  the 
consequences  to  be  apprehended  under  the  new  organization 
were  not  considered  trivial. 

Camp  at  Tappan,  22d  Aug.  1780. 
"  You  mention  difficulties  in  the  Q.  M'r  Gen'l  department. 
I  am  sorry  for  them,  but  know  not  when  they  will  subside. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         f  Idem.  J  Idem.  §  Idem 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  253 

Congress  have  made  a  new  system,  and  have  appointed  a 
new  Q.  M'r  Gen'l  to  carry  it  into  execution,  viz  :  Timothy 
Pickering,  Esq.  Whether  this  will  accelerate,  or  frustrate, 
the  intended  operations  of  the  campaign,  it  is  easy  to  deter- 
mine. Perhaps  the  rulers  of  America,  are  the  only  people 
under  the  sun,  who  refuse  the  benefit  of  experience.  We 
were  nearly  ruined  in  1777,  by  changing  one  of  the  great 
departments  of  the  army,  in  the  middle  of  a  campaign;  and 
as  if  that  event  was  totally  obliterated  from  our  minds,  the 
same  expedient  is  now  repeated,  with  an  eagerness  that  seems 
to  render  our  annihilation  certain."* 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Sac, 


254  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Moody's  Case  submitted  to  Washington. — Ordered  to  Camp. — Army  of- 
fer Battle. — Letter  from  Col.  Varrick. — Joshua  Smith. — Arnold's  Vis- 
its.— Conversation  at  Arnold's  Table. — Mrs.  Arnold  at  Head  Quarters. 
— Guns  ordered  to  Dobbs's  Ferry. — Delayed. — Vulture  in  Haverstraw 
Bay. — Requisition  for  Powder. — Reluctantly  granted. — Purpose  for 
which  it  was  expended. — Vulture  driven  from  her  Position. — Wash- 
ington arrives  at  Fishkill. — At  the  Garrison. — Arnold  receives  Jami- 
son's Letter. — Escapes. — Washington  receives  News. — Disclosed  to 
Lamb. — Orders  to  Verplanck's  and  Stoney  Point. — Back  to  West  Point. 
— Varrick's  Illness. — Uneasiness. — His  Letters. — Oswald's. — Smith's 
Trial. — Causes  of  Arnold's  Defection. — McDougall  in  Command. — 
Superseded  by  St.  Clair. — Lamb  commands  Artillery. — At  Fishkill. 

Gen.  Arnold  had  found  it  expedient  to  refer  the  case  of 
Moody  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,*  and  received  orders  to 
have  him  dispatched  to  camp.  He  was  accordingly  sent  under 
strict  guard,  and  the  garrison  relieved  of  his  presence/)-  Arnold 
in  the  mean  time,  was  affecting  great  concern  for  the  good 
condition  of  the  post.  All  the  departments  were  ordered  to 
furnish  the  most  accurate  return  of  the  munitions  on  hand.  J 

At  this  juncture,  the  Commander-in-Chief  seems  to  have 
determined  to  offer  battle  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  The  army 
was  drawn  down  the  river,  and  strong  temptations  were  of- 
fered to  the  British  General,  to  take  some  steps  to  bring  on 
an  engagement^  But  that  Commander,  perhaps  relying 
upon  his  secret  plans,  was  willing  to  rest  his  hopes  upon  a 
less  sanguinary  mode  of  terminating  the  campaign,  and  per- 
haps the  war.  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Major 
Shaw,  written  with  his  usual  freedom,  will  disclose  how  far 
the  supineness  of  the  British  General,  was  increased  by  the 
hopes  he  indulged  from  the  schemes  he  was  pursuing: 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Idem.  J  Idem.  $  Idem. 


LIFE  OF   JOHN  LAMB.  255 

"  We  have  been  here  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Lee,  bid- 
ding defiance  to  Sir  Harry  for  eight  or  ten  days,  but  he  does  not 
choose  to  take  the  advantage  of  our  position;  which,  with 

proper  deference,  I  think  a  one.     Should  the  enemy 

land  above  us,  they  would  have  an  amazing  odds  in  their 
favor.  If  our  left  flank  should  be  turned,  and  a  defeat  ensue, 
a  retreat  must  be  attended  with  the  utmost  confusion,  as  we 
have  two  rivers  directly  in  our  rear,  and  the  only  passage 
across  one  of  them,  is  over  a  bridge,  which  would  not  sup- 
port two-thirds  the  weight  of  one  of  our  heavy  eighteen 
pounders." 

Believe  me  my  dear  sir, 
Yours  sincerely, 

S.  Shaw* 

31  Aug.,  1780,  Tenick. 

Colonel  Lamb. 

A  supply  of  powder  had  reached  the  garrison,  and  in  Gen. 
Knox's  dispatch,  which  preceded  it,  he  announced  the  defeat 
of  Gates  at  Camden,  and  the  disasters  of  the  southern  army;f 
but  news  had  reached  Arnold's  head  quarters,  of  the  escape 
of  part  of  the  Maryland  line,  which  was  communicated  by 
Col.  Varrick,  the  secretary  and  aid  of  Arnold,  in  the  follow- 
ing characteristic  extract : 

Hd.  Qrs.  Rob.  House,  Sept.  11,  1780. 
"  In  a  postscript  of  His  Excellency's  letter  of  the  9th,  dated 
in  the  afternoon,  he  says:  'I  have  this  moment  received  a  letter 
from  Gov.  Jefferson,  by  which  it  appears  that  above  one-half 
of  the  Maryland  division,  had  made  their  retreat  good,  after  a 
most  obstinate  engagement."  This  is  glorious  news  to  our 
country,  when  compared  with  Gates's  account.  He  will  be 
blasted  in  this  World,  and  humanly  judging,  he  ought  to  be 
in  the  next,  for  not  supporting  the  Maryland  troops,  and 
suffering  them  to  be  so  mauled;  when,  had  he  behaved  like 
a  soldier  himself,  Cornwallis  would  have  been  ruined,  and  to 
use  a  common  term,  Cornwalladed;  for  Col.  Sumpter,  of 
South  Carolina,  was  in  his  rear,  with  above  one  thousand 

*A  most  excellent,  and  interesting  memoir  of  this  gentleman,  has  re- 
cently been  published  by  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy. 
tLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


256  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

men.  May  America's  reproaches  light  on  the  poltroon,  who 
will  turn  his  back  on  such  gallant  troops  as  those  of  Mary- 
land."* 

Gen.  Arnold  had  reached  the  Highlands,  on  the  4th  Au- 
gust, leaving  Mrs.  Arnold  behind  him  in  Philadelphia.!  To 
amuse  his  lonely  hours,  as  he  stated  to  his  friends,  he  was  in 
the  habit  of  visiting  at  the  house  of  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  at 
Haverstraw,  a  short  distance  from  Stoney  Point;  and  on  se- 
veral occasions,  invited  Col.  Lamb  to  accompany  him,  giv- 
ing him  a  tempting  picture  of  the  pleasant  society  he  would 
meet  with  there.  These  invitations  were  invariably  declined, 
although  Mrs.  Smith,  and  Mrs.  Lamb,  were  nearly  related, 
and  the  reasons  for  so  doings  unreservedly  given.  He  knew, 
(he  said)  that  Smith  was  a  tory;  and  he  would  not  visit  his 
own  father,  in  a  similar  category.^ 

Arnold  had  been  absent  from  his  quarters  several  days, 
and  on  his  return,  on  the  13th  September,  he  brought  Mrs. 
Arnold  with  him.§  The  day  of  his  arrival,  he  issued  the  fol- 
lowing order  to  Col.  Lamb  : 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
Sept.  13,  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

Two  nine,  or  twelve  pounders,  are  wanted  in  the  redoubts 
at  Dobbs's  Ferry, ||  for  the  purpose  of  signal  guns,  as  well  as 
to  keep  off  the  enemy's  boats,  who  come  up  almost  every 
day,  and  insult  the  post.  You  will  therefore  please  to  inform 
me  by  the  bearer,  whether  there  are  none  of  the  stocked 
pieces  of  those  calibres,  which  are  of  no  great  service  here; 
and  that  may  answer  the  purpose  mentioned  at  Kings  Ferry. 
The  twelves,  will  be  most  eligible,  if  to  be  spared.TT 

On  the  same  day  the  General  was  informed  that  the  guns 
were  ready  for  service;  but  it  was  not  until  the  seventeenth 
of  the  month,  that  they  were  ordered  by  him  to  their  desti- 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.         J  Family  tradition. 

§  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  ^[Idem. 

||  So  in  the  original, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  257 

nation;*  and  on  the  return  of  the  batteau,  intelligence  was 
brought  that  the  sloop  of  war,  Vulture,  was  in  Haverstraw 
bay;f  which  soon  took  her  station  near  Teller's  point,  some 
eight  or  ten  miles  below  King's  Ferry.  The  next  day,  a  flag 
was  despatched  from  the  vessel  to  Gen.  Arnold.J  It  hap- 
pened that  day,  that  Col.  Lamb  dined  at  head  quarters,  where 
Smith  was  an  invited  guest.  In  a  narrative  of  these  trans- 
actions, published  by  Smith,  it  is  stated,  that  he,  (Smith) 
enquired  the  meaning  of  this  intercourse.  At  first,  he  says 
Arnold  replied,  "  that  in  a  short  time,  the  business  of  the 
flags  would  be  explained";  soon  afterwards,  it  was  mentioned 
at  dinner,  by  Gen,  Arnold,  that  the  flags  had  brought  letters 
from  Col.  Beverly  Robinson,  who,  Gen.  Arnold  said,  was 
very  anxious  to  make  terms  for  the  recovery  of  his  estates, 
that  had  been  confiscated  to  the  public  use,  and  that  Col. 
Robinson  was  authorized  to  propose,  through  his  medium, 
some  preliminary  grounds  for  an  accommodation  between 
Great  Britain  and  America.  Col.  Lamb,  an  old  and  saga- 
cious officer,  who,  with  a  number  of  other  officers  from  the 
garrison,  was  present  at  the  dinner,  immediately  said,  that 
any  proposition  of  that  kind,  ought  with  more  propriety,  to 
be  made  to  Congress,  than  to  a  General,  only  commanding 
a  district.^     Gen.  Arnold  replied,  that  the  communication 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldern. 

|  Smith's  narrative, 

§  The  coincidence  of  this  opinion,  with  that  subsequently  given  by  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  is  worthy  of  remark: 

"To  all  appearance,  the  letter  related  only  to  Robinson's  private  affair, 
and  merely  contained  a  request  for  an  interview  respecting  that  matter. 
Washington  did  not  approve  the  proposal,  and  told  Arnold  that  such  a 
conference  would  afford  grounds  for  suspicion,  in  the  minds  of  some 
people,  and  advised  him  to  avoid  it;  saying  further,  that  the  subject  in 
which  Col.  Robinson  was  interested,  did  not  come  within  the  powers  of 
a  military  officer,  and  that  the  civil  government  of  the  state  was  the  only 
authority  to  which  he  could  properly  apply." — Sparks'1 s  Arnold,  pages 
187,  188. 

33 


258  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

must  at  first,  be  made  through  some  channel,  and  here  the 
conversation  ended.* 

The  day  after  this  conversation,  Col.  Livingston,  command- 
ing at  Verplanck's  point,  supposing  that  the  Vulture  could  be 
annoyed  from  the  shore,  sent  a  messenger  to  West  Point,  for 
a  supply  of  ammunition.!  This  was  furnished,  and  with  it, 
was  sent  the  following  letter  : 

West  Point,  20th  Sept.,  1780. 
Sir: 

I  have  sent  you  the  ammunition  you  requested,  but  at  the 
same  time,  I  wish  there  may  not  be  a  wanton  waste  of  it,  as 
we  have  little  to  spare. 

Firing  at  a  ship  with  a  four  pounder,  is  in  my  opinion,  a 
waste  of  powder;  as  the  damage  she  will  sustain,  is  not  equal 
to  the  expense.  Whenever  applications  are  made  for  am- 
munition, they  must  be  made  through  the  commanding  officer 
of  artillery,  at  the  post  where  it  is  wanted. 

I  am  Sir,  Yours,  &c, 

John  Lamb.J 
Col.  Livingston. 

Had  Col.  Lamb  been  aware  of  the  blessed  effects  to  be  pro- 
duced by  this  cannonade,  he  would  not  have  dispensed  his 
munitions  so  grudgingly;  for  never  were  balls  so  well  ex- 
pended, as  those  which  were  fired  upon  that  occasion. 

On  the  next  night,  the  21st,  Arnold  had  despatched  a  flag 
by  Smith,  to  the  Vulture  to  bring  on  shore  the  Adjutant- 
General  of  the  British  forces,  in  order  to  consummate  his 
plans  for  the  surrender  of  the  Forts  in  the  Highlands,  and  the 
ruin  of  Washingston's  army.§  The  meeting  was  appointed 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  at  the  foot  of  the  Long 
Clove,  below  the  American  posts,  and  within  the  lines  of 
the  army.  This  was  accordingly  effected,  and  the  conference 
being  a  long  one,  the  day  was  on  the  point  of  dawning,  be- 
fore it  was  completed.||  Here  the  British  officer,  obtained 
plans  of  the  fortifications,  and  the  returns  of  the  different  de- 

*  Appendix  D.  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  X  Idem. 

§  Smith's  Narrative.  II  Idem 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  259 

partments,  which  had  been  procured  by  Arnold,  with  so  much 
diligence;  and  here,  the  traitor  received  the  pledge  of  indem- 
nity, and  emolument,  which  was  to  be  the  reward  of  his  vil- 
lainy.* A  difficulty  now  occurred,  that  had  not  been  fore- 
seen, or  provided  for.  The  business  was  completed,  and 
nothing  wanting  but  the  return  of  Major  Andre  to  the  Vul 
ture.  This  was  ordered  done,f  but  the  boatmen,  already 
fatigued  with  having  rowed  twelve  miles,  would  not  consent 
to  go  back  to  the  ship; J  particularly,  as  the  ebb  tide  was  set- 
ting strongly,  and  would  have  swept  them  below  the  vessel. 

The  morning  of  the  22d,  had  fairly  dawned,  when  the  four 
pounder  at  Teller's  point,  opened  upon  the  Vulture,  and 
compelled  her  to  shift  her  moorings.^  Arnold,  after  re- 
maining at  Smith's  house,  with  his  victim,  the  greater  part 
of  the  day,  furnished  passports,  and  prevailed  upon  Smith  to 
accompany  Andre  through  the  American  lines,  by  land,  and 
hence  the  providential  discovery  of  the  plot,  which,  had  it 
been  successful,  might  have  involved  the  country  in  irretriev- 
able ruin.  1 1 

This  portion  of  the  plot  seems  to  have  been  most  clumsily 
contrived;  and  unless  it  was  changed  in  part  of  its  details, 
failed  from  its  own  stupidity.  Why  the  Vulture  should  not 
have  been  ordered  nearer  to  the  place  of  meeting,  if  the  in- 
terview which  took  place,  was  originally  intended  to  be  on 
the  west  side,  and  at  the  Long  Clove,  is  very  difficult  to  ima- 
gine. From  Smith's  account,  boats  were  procured  above 
the  mouth  of  Haverstraw  creek,U  and  after  passing  the  Ameri- 
can forts,  proceeded  eight  or  nine  miles  below  them,  in  order 

*  Smith's  narrative.  t  Idem. 

$This  part  of  Smith's  narrative,  is  discredited  by  Mr.  Sparks,  and  yet 
it  is  quite  as  credible  as  any  other  part  of  it.  Stress  is  laid  upon  the  de- 
claration of  Smith,  on  board  the  ship,  that  a  horse  would  be  in  readi- 
ness to  take  Andre  to  his  house;  but  if  such  was  the  original  intention, 
it  is  very  strange  that  it  was  not  done  immediately  on  landing ;  instead 
of  wasting  hours  in  the  bushes,  which  might  have  been  more  conveniently 
spent  in  more  comfortable  quarters. 

§  Smith's  narrative.  ||  Idem.  ^  Idem. 


260  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

to  bring  Andre  to  the  conference,  and  then  to  cross  the  river 
three  or  four  miles,  to  carry  him  back  to  the  Vulture.  Most 
of  the  histories  mention  the  change  in  the  position  of  the 
ship,  as  the  cause  of  the  boatmen  refusing  to  return  to  her; 
but  as  the  tide  was  running  ebb,  she  might  have  been  reached 
with  less  labor,  some  miles  below,  than  at  her  original  an- 
chorage; and  according  to  Smith,  they  declined  the  attempt 
before  the  firing  began.*  But  it  is  certain  that  the  unex- 
pected attack  on  the  Vulture,  which  Arnold  had  not  contem- 
plated, alarmed,  and  disconcerted  him,  The  firing  had  drawn 
the  attention  of  the  population  to  the  vessel;  the  danger  of 
a  second  visit  was  necessarily  increased,  and  he,  trembling 
for  his  own  safety,  was  anxious  to  get  Andre  back  to  New 
York,  in  the  most  expeditious  manner. 

The  hand  of  Heaven  was  in  this  event,  as  it  had  been 
throughout  the  war,  in  many  others  most  conspicuously.  Had 
Andre  exhibited  a  presence  of  mind  worthy  of  his  reputation 
for  sagacity,  the  die  had  been  cast,  which  sealed  the  fate  of 
the  Highland  passes,  and  of  the  army.  The  garrison  at  West 
Point,  weakened  as  it  was,  by  the  contrivances  of  Arnold, 
could  not  have  made  a  successful  resistance;  yet  they  would 
have  contended  to  the  last,  and  the  formidable  forces  which 
were  destined  to  attack  the  post,  being  sufficiently  numerous 
to  assault  it  on  all  sides  at  once,  would  most  probably  have 
put  the  defenders  to  the  sword. 

On  the  24th,  General  Washington  reached  Fishkill,  on  his 
return  from  Hartford,  from  his  conference  with  Count  Ro- 
chambeau;f  and  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  with  his  aid 
Col.  Hamilton,  accompanied  by  Generals  La  Fayette  and 
Knox,  and  their  suite,  set  out  to  breakfast  by  appointment 
with  Arnold  at  his  head  quarters.!  The  three  Generals 
turned  aside  to  visit  a  redoubt  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the 
retinue  went  forward  to  request  that  Mrs.  Arnold  would  not 
wait  breakfast  for  them.     While  at  breakfast,^  a  dispatch  was 

*  Smith's  narrative.  t  Hamilton's  History.  J  Idem. 

§  Ten  o'clock,  according  to  Thatcher's  journal. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  261 

handed  Arnold,  which  threw  him  into  evident  trepidation; 
and  calling  Mrs.  Arnold  out  of  the  room,  he  informed  her  of 
the  capture  of  Andre,  and  the  necessity  of  his  departure.* 
This  intelligence  was  too  appalling,  not  to  affect  her  to  the 
last  degree,  and  overcome  with  terror,  she  fainted.  No  time 
could  be  spared  for  conjugal  tenderness  or  sympathy,  if  any 
such  existed,  at  such  a  moment,  in  a  mind  selfish  in  the  ex- 
treme; he  therefore  returned  to  the  room,  informed  the  guests 
of  the  necessity  of  immediately  repairing  to  West  Point  to 
prepare  for  the  reception  of  the  Commander-in-Chief;  and 
mounting  the  horse  of  the  messenger  who  had  brought  the 
letter,  made  all  haste  by  the  nearest  path  to  the  river. 

Washington  in  the  mean  time  arrivedf ,  and  being  informed 
of  Mrs.  Arnold's  illness,  rode  without  dismounting  to  the  ferry 
and  crossed  over  to  West  Point.  His  arrival  was  most  un- 
expected to  the  commander  of  the  garrison,  and  the  General 
expressed  equal  surprise  at  finding  that  Arnold  had  not  pre- 
ceded him.  He  did  not  long  remain  in  suspense,  for  during 
his  absence,  dispatches  had  arrived,  and  being  opened  by 
Col.  Hamilton,  they  disclosed  the  astounding  intelligence 
of  the  capture  of  Andre,  and  the  defection  of  Arnold.  These 
were  immediately  forwarded  to  Washington,  while  Hamilton 
and  McHenry,  the  aid  of  La  Fayette,  hurried  to  the  water 
side,  hoping  to  intercept  the  fugitive; J  but  found  that  he 
was  beyond  reach,  on  his  way  to  the  Vulture. 

When  Washington  received  this  alarming  intelligence,  he 
communicated  it  to  Col.  Lamb,§  who  was  overwhelmed 
with  consternation  and  surprise.  Though  conscious  of  his 
own  rectitude,  yet  from  his  known  friendship  for  Arnold, 
which  had  always  been  ardently  avowed;  and  which  had 
at  one  time  nearly  brought  on  a  duel  with  an  officer  of  the 
Gates  faction  in  his  defence ;||  he  could  not  but  apprehend 

*  Hamilton's  History. 

1 12  o'clock,  according  to  Thatcher's  journal.  §  Idem. 

J  Hamilton's  History. 

||  In  proportion  to  the  ardor  and  sincerity  of  his  friendship  for  Arnold, 
Col.  Lamb  imbibed  the  most  decided  contempt  and  detestation  for  the 


262  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

that  he  might  possibly  be  suspected,  as  cognizant  of  the  plot.* 
Perhaps  at  first,  a  surmise  of  that  nature  might  have  crossed 
the  mind  of  Washington;  but  he  must  have  been  soon  reas- 
sured by  the  honest  glow  exhibited  in  the  countenance  of 
Lamb,  and  the  burst  of  indignation  which  followed  the  dis- 
closure of  Arnold's  treachery. 

The  posts  below,  were  in  the  vicinity  of  the  house  of  Smith, 
who  was  obnoxious  to  suspicion;  and  wishing  to  make  some 
enquiry,  in  the  hope  of  discovering  accomplices,  if  any  ex- 
apostate  after  his  defection.  By  one  of  the  numerous  flags  which  passed 
the  lines  on  the  occasion  of  the  capture  of  Andre,  the  officer  who  brought 
it  was  charged  to  present  the  regards  of  Gen.  Arnold  to  Col.  Lamb.  Be 
good  enough,  sir,  was  the  reply,  to  tell  Gen.  Arnold,  that  the  acquaint- 
ance between  us  is  forgotten ;  and  that  if  he  were  to  be  hanged  to-morrow, 
I  would  go  barefooted  to  witness  his  execution. 

But  notwithstanding  this  change  of  feeling,  he  would  never  suffer  the 
reputation  of  Arnold  as  a  soldier  to  be  called  in  question  5  or  his  courage 
and  conduct  in  the  field  impeached,  without  defending  both.  Some  years 
afterwards,  when  dining  at  Putnam's  headquarters,  in  company  with  one 
of  Gates's  Brigadiers,  who  had  served  at  Saratoga,  the  name  of  Arnold  was 
introduced,  when  "  Confusion  to  the  traitor"  was  drank  with  great  unani- 
mity. And  when  his  demerits  had  been  freely  discussed,  Col.  Lamb  re- 
marked that  it  was  a  pity  so  good  a  soldier,  and  a  man  of  such  consum- 
mate courage,  should  become  so  despicable  a  villain. 

Consummate  courage,  sir!  said  Gen.  G.:  where  has  he  ever  exhibited 
any  proof  of  such  quality?  Sir,  said  Col.  Lamb,  you  astonish  me  by 
the  question.  In  my  judgment,  it  would  be  more  difficult  to  point  out 
an  instance  where  he  has  not  given  ample  evidence  of  bravery,  than  to 
enumerate  the  instances  of  his  intrepidity.  I  was  with  him  at  the  storm 
of  Quebec,  amd  at  the  battle  of  Compo ;  and  am  somewhat  qualified  to 
judge:  and  if  these  exploits  are  not  sufficient,  the  battle  of  the  7th  Oct.,  in 
1777,  and  the  storming  of  the  German  intrenchments,  would  add  strength 
to  my  testimony  Pshaw!  sir,  was  the  rejoinder;  mere  Dutch  courage: 
He  was  drunk,  sir.  Sir,  said  Col.  Lamb,  let  me  tell  you,  that  drunk  or 
sober,  you  will  never  be  an  Arnold,  or  fit  to  compare  with  him  in  any 
military  capacity.  What  do  you  mean  by  that,  sir?  exclaimed  Gen.  G. 
Literally  and  emphatically  what  I  say,  was  the  answer.  Here  Putnam 
(who  lisped)  broke  in:  Whath  all  thith,  he  said;  God,  cuth  it,  gentlemen, 
let  the  traitor  go!  Here's  Wathington's  health  in  a  brimmer.  This 
ended  the  conversation,  and  the  matter  was  not  pushed  to  farther  arbitra- 
ment. 

*  Family  tradition. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  263 

isted,  Washington  dispatched  Col.  Lamb,  under  injunctions 
of  secrecy,  to  relieve  Col.  Livingston  at  Verplanck's  Point. 
The  order  was  in  his  own  hand  writing,  and  was  in  such 
terms  as  effectually  removed  the  unpleasant  feelings  of  him 
who  was  to  execute  it. 

Sir: 

It  is  my  wish  to  see  Col.  James  Livingston  to-night,  and 
I  write  him  by  you  on  the  occasion.  In  his  absence  you  will 
take  command  of  the  posts  at  Stoney  and  Verplanck's  Point, 
till  further  orders. 

I  am,  Sir, 
With  great  regard  and  esteem, 
Your  most  obed.  serv., 
H'd  Quarters,  Robinson's  House  Go.  Washington.* 

in  the  Highlands. 
Sept.  25,  1780. 
f  —  o'clock,  P.  M. 
To  Col.  John  Lamb  of  the  Artillery. 

The  discovery  of  a  plot  so  dangerous,  was  enough  to  have 
shaken  the  nerves  of  most  men;  yet  the  firmness  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief was  not  discomposed  by  it;  for  the  letter  to 
Col.  Livingston  exhibits  no  marks  of  nervous  trepidation, 
although  it  must  have  been  penned  within  a  very  short  period 
after  the  disclosure. 

A  letter  was  written  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  from 
Verplanck's,  by  Col.  Lamb,|  the  copy  of  which  is  lost,  but  on 
the  subject  of  which,  the  following  reply  will  throw  some  light: 

Robinson's  House,  the  26  Sept.,  1780. 
D'r  Sir: 

I  have  received  your  favor  of  to-day.  We  can  not  find  on 
examination,  any  charge  against  Thomas  Smith,  and  there- 
fore we  can  not  with  propriety,  take  any  measures  respecting 
him.  His  situation,  however,  may  become  a  subject  of  the 
State's  consideration.  As  to  Joshua  Smith,  he  is  in  safe 
custody;  and  has  had  a  good  share  in  the  matters  which  have 
been  carrying  on.     He  furnished  Maj.  Andre  with  a  coat  to 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 
t  The  hour  is  obliterated  by  damp. 
J  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


264  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

disguise  himself,  who  left  his  uniform  one,  and  which  Capt* 
Carnes  will  get,  in  consequence  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Smith, 
for  the  purpose.  You  will  send  the  Captain  the  enclosed. 
I  wish  you  to  say  nothing  of  this  matter,  as  we  may  possibly 
receive  further  intelligence  with  respect  to  the  plot;  or  at 
least  of  other  characters. 

I  am,  d'r  sir, 
Y'r  most  obed.  s't, 

Go.  Washington.* 
Col.  Lamb,  at  Verplanck's  Point. 

The  next  day  brought  an  order  to  Col.  Lamb  to  resume 
his  command  at  West  Point.  He  had  found  the  posts  at 
King's  Ferry  in  no  fit  condition  to  repulse  an  enemy  in  case 
of  attack;  but  by  constant  activity  throughout  the  night,  un* 
der  his  direction  they  were  placed  in  an  effective  condition 
of  defence.f 

The  defection  of  Arnold  was  a  thunder  stroke  to  his  friends: 
and  none  were  more  utterly  astounded  by  it  than  Col.  Varrick, 
his  warm  hearted  and  ardent  secretary  and  aid-de-camp.  He 
too,  had  on  all  occasions  espoused  the  cause  of  the  unworthy 
General;  and  withstood  the  torrent  of  sycophancy  and  indi- 
rection that  had  exiled  Arnold  from  the  northern  army.J 
He  was  at  that  time  laboring  under  a  debilitating  disease; 
and  the  shock,  combined  with  his  illness,  seemed  to  have 
utterly  prostrated  his  physical  and  mental  energies.^  The 
first  letter  he  wrote  to  Col.  Lamb,  three  days  after  the  dis- 
covery, was  so  incoherent,  that  it  required  another  the  next 
day,  but  little  less  so  to  explain  it.||  He  had  immediately 
upon  the  discovery  of  the  plot,  applied  for  a  court  of  enquiry, 
and  the  least  delay  made  him  fidgety  to  the  last  degree.  He 
threatened  to  be troublesome  to  Gen.  Heath,  if  far- 
ther delays  were  interposed.  Under  these  influences,  he  thus 
wrote  to  Lamb:  "My  intellects  are  much  deranged  by  in- 
disposition, or  rather  by  a  complication  of  misfortunes,  which 
must  apologize  to  you  for  my  scrawling  and   blotting  in  so 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Family  history. 

|  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  $  Idem  ||  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  266 

scandalous  a  manner.     A  little  touch  of  fever  in  the  night, 
has  much  debilitated  me."* 

During  all  this  time,  the  commissioners  of  sequestration 
were  teazing  him  with  questions  relative  to  the  horses,  and 
other  moveables  of  the  absconding  General.f  At  length  he 
became  sufficiently  composed  to  indite  the  following  letter  : 

Rob.  House,  Oct.  5th,  1780. 
My  Dear  Colonel : 

If  the  weather  be  fair  and  wholesome,  I  should  be  happy 
to  pay  General  St.  Clair,  yourself,  and  my  other  friends,  a 
short  visit  to-morrow  morning;  but  I  have  no  horse  of 
my  own  here,  nor  yet  a  boat  to  convey  me  to  you.  If  it 
be  not  inconvenient,  you  '11  much  oblige  me  by  sending  your 
barge. 

I  feel  myself  much  recovered;  I  have  last  evening  con- 
quered the  diarrhoea,  by  means  of  in  substance  by  chewing 
it.  I  hope  now  soon  to  recover  a  little  strength,  if  with  the 
assistance  of  a  little  good  living,  I  can  be  favored  by  some 
bracing  north-west  winds. 

Is  Gen.  Schuyler  atPoughkeepsie?  If  so,  have  you  means 
of  conveyance  there?  Or  I  believe  General  St.  Clair  will, 
in  case  of  a  certainty  of  his  being  there,  oblige  me  by  send- 
ing a  horseman,  with  a  letter  to  him.  I  shall  want  him  much 
on  my  Court  Martial,  or  enquiry  into  my  conduct.  I  mean 
to  make  the  most  of  this  favorable  opportunity,  in  showing 
to  the  World,  a  true  portrait  of  my  conduct,  from  the  earliest 
period  of  the  war,  from  stage  to  stage,  'till  the  memorable 
25th  Sept.  last.  On  this  occasion,  you  '11  be  of  no  small  ser- 
vice to  me,  with  respect  to  my  line  of  conduct  since  my  join- 
ing Arnold's  family.  We  had  two  wagoners  from  Colonel 
Nichols's  regiment;  the  first  was  discharged  before  Arnold's 
departure;  the  last  has  withdrawn  himself  without  my  know- 
ledge, by  whose  order  I  know  not,  and  has  left  the  horses, 
wagon,  and  harness,  God  knows  where.  I  never  knew,  nor 
did  I  concern  myself  about  how  many,  and  what  kind  of 
horses  Arnold  had.  I  never  rode  any  of  them,  and  was  nei- 
ther his  steward,  or  overseer.     I  happily  disclaimed  both,  in 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 
t  Idem. 

34 


266  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  first  junction  with  his  family.     I  remain  with  every  sen- 
timent of  sincere  regard,  and  esteem, 
Dear  Col., 

Your  friend  & 

Hum'e  Serv't, 
Col.  Lamb.  Rich'd  Varrick.* 

But  if  those  more  immediately  affected  by  the  fall  of  the  re- 
volutionary Lucifer,  were  struck  with  astonishment,  his  other 
friends  at  a  distance,  were  equally  overwhelmed  with  the 
news.  Oswald,  who  had  been  with  him  at  Ticonderoga,  and 
St.  Johns;  who  fought  at  his  side,  when  disabled  at  Quebec; 
who  led  his  forlorn  hope  at  that  memorable  storm,  after  his 
fall,  and  who  had  again  rallied  to  his  standard,  at  the  obsti- 
nate battle  of  Compo,  was  not  the  least  astounded  by  the 
event.f  He  had,  after  his  resignation,  entered  into  the  print- 
ing, and  publishing  business,  at  Philadelphia;  was  appointed 
public  printer,  and  was  a  resident  of  that  city,  during  the 
time  it  was  under  Arnold's  command.  The  warm  regard  in- 
dulged for  his  former  leader,  had  been  a  little  shaken  by  the 
meannesses,  and  extortion  there  exhibited;  but  for  the  final 
catastrophe,  he  was  wholly  unprepared.  In  a  letter  to  Col. 
Lamb,  of  the  11th  December,  1780,  he  thus  unburthens  his 
mind  : 

"  Arnold's  treachery  was  the  principal  subject  of  our  two 
last  letters.  It  will  take  up  a  small  portion  of  this  also,  and 
then  let  his  name  sink  as  low  in  infamy,  as  it  was  once  high 
in  our  esteem.  Happy  for  him,  and  for  his  friends,  it  had 
been,  had  the  ball  which  pierced  his  leg  at  Saratoga,  been 
directed  thro'  his  heart;  he  then  would  have  finished  his  ca- 
reer in  glory,  but  the  remainder  of  his  wretched  existence, 
must  now  be  one  continued  scene  of  horror,  misery,  and  de- 
spair. 

It  must  be  confessed,  that  altho'  he  has  been  a  principal, 
in  producing  one  of  the  greatest  events,  that  hath  taken  place 
in  America;  yet  he  has  also  displayed  as  vile  a  prostitution 
of  principle,  as  ever  disgraced  human  nature:  in  fact,  he  has 
convinced  the  world  that  he  is  as  base  a  prostitute  as  this,  or 

*Lamb  papers.  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  LAMB.  267 

any  other  country  ever  nurtured  to  maturity;  and  as  a  pun- 
ishment for  the  enormity  of  his  crimes,  the  mark  of  Cain  is 
branded  on  him  in  the  most  indelible  characters.  A  mark  by 
which  "  every  one  he  meeteth  shall  know  him,  and  slay  him." 
So  that  the  most  eligible  situation  in  life,  nay,  even  the  uni- 
verse itself,  can  not  secure  him  from  the  keen  reproaches  of 
his  conscience;  which  will,  perhaps,  continue  to  harrow  his 
soul  beyond  the  verge  of  this  present  scene.  On  this  stage, 
all  good  men  will  unite  in  execrating  his  memory  to  the 
latest  posterity.  Even  villains,  less  guilty  than  himself,  will 
not  cease  to  upbraid  him,  and  tho'  they  "  approve  the  trea- 
son, they  '11  despise  the  traitor."* 

But  few  of  the  copies  of  the  private  letters  of  Col.  Lamb, 
have  been  preserved,  but  we  may  venture  to  assume,  that  on 
this  topic,  they  equalled  any  of  those  of  his  friends  in  bitter- 
ness of  invective. 

A  Court  Martial  was  ordered  to  try  Joshua  Smith,  for  par- 
ticipation in  Arnold's  plot,  and  he,  thinking  that  the  enquiry 
put  to  Arnold,  respecting  the  flags  between  the  two  lines  of 
the  army,  in  the  early  part  of  the  month,  would  make  in  his 
favor,  insisted  upon  having  the  testimony  of  Col.  Lamb.f 
He,  however,  was  at  that  time  not  well  able  to  attend,  and 
in  a  letter  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  he  stated  that  his  tes- 
timony wTould  not  be  available,  either  for,  or  against  the  pri- 
soner, and  begged  to  be  excused  from  attendance.^  But  the 
justice  of  Washington  would  not  permit  him  to  consent  to 
the  absence  of  any  witness,  which  Smith  deemed  to  be  fa- 
vorable to  his  case,  and  Col.  Lamb  attended  as  a  witness.^ 
He  confirmed  the  declaration  of  Smith,  respecting  the  con- 
versation at  Arnold's  table,  already  given  from  Smith's  nar- 
rative; and  the  Court  Martial,  after  an  impartial  hearing, 
could  find  nothing  to  justify  farther  proceedings  against  their 
prisoner.  He  was,  however,  handed  over  to  the  civil  au- 
thorities, for  a  more  thorough  scrutiny.  No  indictments  were 
found  against  him,  but  he  was  held  in  close  durance  for  more 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         fldem  J  Idem.  $  Idarn. 


2  68  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

than  a  year  and  a  half,*  when  he  contrived  to  make  his  es- 
cape to  his  friends  in  New  York;  from  thence  he  went  to 
England,  where  he  took  up  his  residence.  The  British  pe- 
riodicals of  1781,  deceived  by  the  discharge  of  Smith  from 
the  Court  Martial,  and  probably  ignorant  of  his  subsequent 
imprisonment,  declared  that  he  had  purposely  betrayed  An- 
dre, and  spoke  of  him  with  great  contumely.f  In  1808,  seven 
years  after  the  death  of  Arnold,  as  he  would  have  it  believed, 
he  saw  these  publications,  for  the  first  time,  and  in  his  own 
justification,  he  published  a  narrative  of  the  transactions  in 
which  he  was  engaged,!  which  is  only  valuable  for  its  facts, 
so  far  as  they  are  substantiated  by  other  testimony.  In  this 
book  he  tries  to  make  it  appear,  that  he  was  the  simple  cats- 
paw  of  Arnold,  and  carried  the  flag  to  the  Vulture,  in  good 
faith  to  the  American  government.  It  is  quite  probable  that 
he  was  in  some  measure,  the  dupe  of  that  artful,  and  design- 
ing man;  who  trusted  him  no  farther  than  his  own  safety, 
and  convenience  would  warrant;  but  that  he  was  in  every 
respect,  as  deeply  implicated  in  the  nefarious  scheme,  as  the 
capacity  of  his  mind  would  justify  the  confidence  of  its  de- 
visers, is  beyond  all  question. 

While  the  former  friends  of  Arnold  were  execrating  him, 
and  his  baseness,  and  casting  him  for  ever  from  their  affec- 
tions, he  was  vainly  expecting  some  sympathy  from  those 
who  had  so  often  fought  his  battles  with  the  Gates  faction, 
and  fondly  hoped  his  defection  would  inflict  a  vital  wound 
upon  the  power  and  resources  of  the  government;  and  even, 
that  his  example  would  stimulate  others  to  abandon  the 
American  cause.  Some  desertions  took  place  from  the  gar- 
rison about  this  period ;||  but  the  coincidence  was  most  pro- 
bably accidental,  and  the  individuals  of  the  army,  of  every 
grade,  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  the  bitterness  of 
their  denunciations.  Every  memento  of  his  name  was  ex- 
punged from  the  garrison  which  he  had  so  basely  undertaken 

*  Smith's  narrative.  t  Idem.  J  Idem. 

II  Lamb  papers' 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB  269 

to  betray,  and  Fort  Arnold,  the  original  appellation*  of  the 
first  fortifications  erected  at  West  Point,  is  unknown  in  his- 
tory, and  only  to  be  found  in  the  military  correspondence, 
and  garrison  orders  of  that  day.f 

The  dangerous  conspiracy  of  this  abominable  man,  was 
long  premeditated,  and  artfully  carried  on.  He  had  received 
many  causes  of  mortification,  and  disgust,  at  an  early  period 
of  the  revolution.  He  had  been  neglected  in  the  promotions 
of  1777,  and  juniors  of  very  inferior  merit,  and  capacity, 
placed  in  command  above  him;  and  it  was  not  until  his  bril- 
liant achievements  at  Ridgefield,  and  Compo,  that  the  tardy 
justice  of  Congress  raised  him  to  a  rank,  which  his  former 
services  had  so  richly  merited.^  Even  then,  the  inefficient 
officers  which  had  so  unjustly  superseded  him,  out-ranked 
him,  whenever  the  service  brought  them  together.  Gen. 
Washington  did  what  he  could  to  prevent  this,  and  to  re- 
medy the  evils  inflicted  upon  him.  And  well  knowing  his 
efficiency  in  the  field,  he  sent  him  to  the  north  as  a  powerful 
auxiliary  to  General  Schuyler.  The  success  of  his  expedition 
to  relieve  Fort  Stanwix,  added  to  his  military  reputation;  but 
on  his  return,  he  found  the  excellent  Schuyler  about  to  be  su- 
perseded in  his  command;  and  the  vain  and  arrogant  Gates, 
the  head  of  the  monster  faction,  in  conspiracy  against  Wash- 
ington, placed  in  his  stead.  The  new  commander  of  the 
northern  army,  had  gathered  round  him  a  host  of  malcon- 
tents and  scycophants,  ready  to  indulge  his  vanity;  and  pre- 
pared to  gratify  his  spleen  against  all  who  were  known  to 
be  opposed  to  his  designs.  The  irritability  of  Arnold  was 
full  equal  to  the  arrogance  of  Gates ;§  and  means  were  not 
lacking  to  excite  it  to  the  uttermost.  Like  Hotspur,  the  an- 
gry General  was  "pestered  with  popinjays"  and  the  haugh- 
tiness of  the  commander,  aided  by  the  petty  annoyances  of  his 
subordinates,  galled  the  temper  of  a  spirit,  in  whom 

11  The  first  sin  that  peopled  hell," 
glowed  with  all  its  fierceness. 

*  The  fortification  originally  called  Fort  Arnold,  is  now  Fort  Clinton, 
f  Journals  of  Congress  J  Idem.  $  Wilkinson's  Memoirs. 


270  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

His  skill  and  intrepidity  had  gained  two  important  victo- 
ries;* and  laurels  bravely  won,  had  been  torn  from  him,  to 
deck  the  brow  of  his  vain  glorious  cotemporary.  These  were 
sufficient  to  sour  a  mind,  not  very  placable.  But  these,  and 
the  merited  rebuffs  and  disgraces  which  he  received  from  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania  and  Congress,  would  not  per- 
haps have  driven  him  to  infamy,  had  not  the  same  cause  that 
lost  Mark  Antony  the  empire,  lured  him  to  embrace  it. 
There  is  little  doubt  that  his  beautiful  and  accomplished  wife, 
was  the  prime  mover  of  the  grand  conspiracy;  and  that  the 
account  in  Davis's  life  of  Burr,  derived  from  Mrs.  Burr,  who 
had  been  the  wife  of  Maj.  Prevost,  of  the  British  army,  is 
strictly  correct.f  J 

The  scene  which  deceived  the  sagacity  of  Washington 
himself,  and  won  the  sympathies  of  all  the  gallant  spirits 
around  him,  was  inimitably  well  performed;  and  her  services 
in  bringing  over  her  husband  to  the  British  side,  were  well 
compensated  by  the  countenance  of  royalty,  to  her  and  her 
unworthy  mate;  and  with  the  addition  of  a  pension  to  her- 
self, from  the  Queen,  out  of  her  privy  purse,  which  she  en- 
joyed during  her  life  time.§ 

The  tragedy  which  followed,  gave  to  the  name  of  Arnold 
a  melancholy  celebrity;  and  kept  him  for  a  longer  period  in 
the  mind  of  his  former  comrades.  But  in  the  grave  of  An- 
dre was  entombed,  all  but  the  infamy,  of  him  who  caused  his 
death:  nor  could  the  parricidal  efforts  of  the  traitor  against 
his  countrymen,  add  to  the  weight  of  opprobrium  with  which 
his  name  was  loaded,  and  which  blotted  for  ever  his  former 
glory. 

His  bombastic  addresses  and  manifestos,  although  they 
may  have  helped  to  bolster  his  consequence  with  those  who 
had  bought  the  "  filthy  bargain,"  produced  nothing  but  con- 
tempt and  derision  from  the  hardy  associates  he  had  aban- 

*  Marshall.         f  Davis's  Burr.         J  Marbois1  Biography  of  Arnold. 
$  Information  to  the  writer  in  1801,  by  Hannah  Arnold,  sister  of  the 
General. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  271 

doned,  and  his  name  became  a  by-word  and  reproach,  to  mark 
the  depth  of  degradation  and  villainy. 

Shortly  after  the  flight  of  Arnold,  the  garrison  at  West 
Point  was,  on  the  5th  Oct.,  increased;  and  Gen.  McDougall 
took  charge  of  the  post,*  until  superseded  by  St.  Clair;  while 
Col.  Lamb  still  remained  as  commandant  of  artillery,  and 
continued  in  garrison,  until  the  army  went  into  winter  quar- 
ters.! He  then  resumed  his  station  at  Fishkill,  while  the 
major  part  of  the  regiment,  under  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens,  were 
at  head  quarters  at  New  Windsor.J  The  question  of  rank 
between  Col.  Crane  and  himself  being  still  suspended,  this 
arrangement  prevented  a  clashing  of  authority  on  the  score 
of  seniority,  as  Col.  Crane  was  with  his  regiment  in  camp. 
A  severe  indisposition  compelled  him  to  seek  some  relaxa- 
tion from  military  duty,  and  he  joined  his  family  at  South- 
ington,  where  he  remained  until  the  state  of  his  health  ena- 
bled him  to  resume  his  duties  at  Fishkill.§ 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         tldem.         J  Idem.         §  Idem. 


272  LIFE   OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Attack  on  Fort  George. — Fort  Ann. — Brant's  Incursion. — Repelled. — 
Distress  of  the  Army. — Mutiny,  Wayne's  Division. — British  tamper 
with  Mutineers. — Overtures  rejected. — Holland  and  Spain. — Design  on 
New  York. — Conference  at  Wethersfield. — Attempt  fails. — Dispatches 
stolen. — Moody  the  Spy. — Smith, — Arnold. — Preparations  for  the 
South. — Rev.  Mr.  Mason's  Letter. — Order  to  march. — Cross  the  Hud- 
son.— The  Delaware. — Head  of  Elk. — James  River. — Yorktown  in- 
vested.— Redoubts  stormed. — French  Battery  carried. — Retaken. — 
Chamade.— Capitulation.— 1780,  1781 . 

Sir  Henry  Clinton's  covert  scheme  of  finishing  the  war, 
having  failed,  he  had  an  opportunity  to  retrieve  his  reputa- 
tion, by  an  open  attack  upon  the  fortresses  which  he  so  con- 
fidently considered  as  his  own.  But  had  he  been  so  disposed, 
he  would  have  found  the  garrison  of  sufficient  force  to  repel 
him;  and  officers  within  its  walls,  who  would  have  defended 
it  to  the  last  extremity.*  Beside  the  former  commander  of 
the  post,  now  in  charge  of  the  artillery,  there  were  Ganse- 
voort  and  Willett,  signalized  at  Fort  Stanwix;f  wTith  Thayer, 
who  had  so  bravely  defended  Fort  Mifflin.  J  The  reputation 
which  all  these  men  had  gained,  was  sufficient  warrant  of  a 
resolute  defence;  and  it  was  matter  of  regret  to  all  at  the 
station,  that  the  British  General  did  not  attempt  to  redeem 
by  chivalry,  the  failure  of  the  stratagem,  which  had  termin- 
ated so  ingloriously  to  all  concerned.  Movements  were 
made  at  the  north,§  which  seemed  to  be  in  concert  with  the 
design  of  Sir  Henry  to  obtain  the  passes  of  the  Hudson.  The 
forts  at  Lake  George  and  Fort  Ann  were  taken,||  and  the 
valley  of  the  Mohawk,  was  again  invaded  by  the  sanguinary 
horde  under  Johnson  and  Brant,  that  had  ravaged  it  in 
May.U     But  the  enemy  from  the  north,  advanced  no  farther 

*Lamb  papers,  N,  Y.  His.  Soc.         t  Idem.        J  Idem. 
$  Marshall.  ||  Idem.  f  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  273 

down  the  Hudson;  and  the  marauders  on  the  Mohawk,  were 
repelled  by  the  state  forces  under  the  Governor  and  Colonel 
Van  Rensselaer,  before  the  detachment  under  General  James 
Clinton,  ordered  to  that  quarter,  could  reach  the  scene  of 
action.* 

The  star  of  the  British  commander  was  more  auspicious  in 
the  south;  and  after  annihilating  Gates  at  Camden,  Corn- 
wallis  remained  master  of  the  country;  until  the  appointment 
of  General  Greene  to  the  southern  department,  changed  the 
aspect  of  affairs  in  that  quarter.f 

Washington  had  struggled  through  difficulties  which  had 
attended  the  close  of  the  campaign  of  1779;  and  the  unex- 
ampled patience  of  the  troops,  had  enabled  him  to  keep  his 
army  in  subordination,  during  the  severe  privations  to  which 
it  was  subjected.|  The  same  state  of  starvation  and  wretch- 
edness, was  again  approaching;  and  the  fortitude  of  the 
commander,  and  the  endurance  of  the  men  were  to  be  put  to 
a  farther  trial.§  But  a  portion  of  the  army  would  no  longer 
remain  passive  under  the  accumulation  of  misery;  and  a  part 
of  Wayne's  division  of  Pennsylvania  troops,  revolted.||  Af- 
ter killing  one  of  their  officers  who  had  endeavored  to  arrest 
them,  they  would  have  taken  the  life  of  their  commander  also, 
had  he  not  prudently  desisted  from  farther  efforts  to  coerce 
them  to  submission.1T  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  now  imagined  that 
some  effect  had  been  produced  by  Arnold's  manifesto;  and 
that  he  should  yet  reap  a  harvest  from  the  seeds  of  disaffec- 
tion which  he  had  endeavored  to  sow.  Emissaries  were  des- 
patched from  New  York,  to  tamper  with  these  revolters;** 
but  so  far  from  having  had  any  disposition  to  join  the  enemy, 
the  proffers  of  the  British  General  were  sent  to  Wayne;  and 
the  emissaries  themselves,  were  kept  in  durance  by  the  dis- 
contented troops,  until  their  grievances  were  redressed.ff  A 
part  of  the  New  Jersey  line,  followed  the  example  of  their 
brethren  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Commander-in-Chief  sent 

*  Marshall.  fldem.  J  Idem.  §Idem.  ||  Idem  and 

Thatcher's  Journal.         ^  Marshall.         **Idem.         f fldem. 

35 


274  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

a  detachment  under  General  How,  to  reduce  them  to  submis- 
sion; which  was  done  without  bloodshed.* 

A  gleam  of  sunshine  now  spread  over  the  benighted  pros- 
pects of  the  country,  in  the  accession  of  Holland  to  the  armed 
neutrality,  and  the  subsequent  declaration  of  war  against  that 
power,  by  England  ;f  by  which  a  powerful  ally  was  gained 
against  the  common  enemy,  and  a  negotiation  was  in  train, 
to  bring  Spain  too,  into  the  confederacy,  although  it  was  not 
brought  to  successful  issue,  without  the  concession  of  our 
right  to  navigate  the  Mississippi  to  the  Ocean,  and  the  claim 
of  a  free  port,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  were  abandoned.  In 
spite  of  every  discouragement,  preparations  were  made  for 
an  attack  on  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the  French 
army.  An  interview  between  the  two  commanders,  took 
place  at  Wethersfield;J  and  a  correspondence  was  carried  on 
between  them,  to  mature  the  plan,  and  determine  the  time  of 
the  attack.  The  army  took  the  field,  and  assembled  at  Peeks- 
kill,  and  the  first  of  July  was  the  time  fixed  upon  for  the  ex- 
pedition. The  enemy  had  detached  a  large  force  into  New 
Jersey,  and  all  circumstances  seemed  favorable  to  success. 
Gen.  Lincoln,  who  had  been  taken  at  Charleston,  and  now 
recently  exchanged  for  Gen.  Phillips,  of  Burgoyne's  army, 
was  despatched  in  force,  down  the  river  in  the  night,  to  take 
a  favorable  position,  which  was  done  near  the  enemy's  lines, 
unperceived.§  But  on  the  opening  of  the  day,  it  was  dis- 
covered that  the  British  had  recalled  their  army  from  Jersey, 
and  were  strongly  intrenched  at  the  head  of  the  island.  This 
force  was  too  formidable  to  be  assailed,  and  the  attempt,  to- 
gether with  another,  to  surprise  Delancy's  corps,  near  Mor- 
risania,||  connected  with  it  failed. 

About  this  time,  a  Captain  James  Moody,  the  identical 
prisoner  held  in  irons  at  West  Point,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Mr.  Duer,  the  year  before,  was  sent  with  others  from  New 
York,  to  assassinate  Governors  Clinton,  and  Livingston,  and 
the  Commander-in-Chief.     In  this  they  failed;  but  Moody 

*  Marshall.  fldem.  J  Idem.  $Idem.  [|  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  275 

was  successful  in  stealing  the  despatches  passing  from  head 
quarters  to  Congress,  detailing  the  plan  fixed  upon  by  the 
two  commanders,  for  the  attack  on  the  city;*  and  hence  the 
recall  of  the  troops  from  New  Jersey,  and  the  formidable  pre- 
parations of  the  enemy  to  frustrate  the  enterprise.  These 
despatches  were  brought  in  at  the  same  time  that  Joshua 
Smith,  the  supposed  confederate  of  Arnold,  who  had  been 
conducted  through  the  American  lines,  after  his  escape  from 
prison,  reached  the  city;  and  probably  the  same  daring  hand 
that  purloined  the  despatches,  contrived,  and  effected  the  es- 
cape of  the  suspected  accomplice  of  the  traitor.f 

While  the  allied  armies  were  encamped  near  Dobbs's  Ferry, 
in  Westchester  county,  the  country  which  had  been  aban- 
doned by  its  former  inhabitants,  was  made  the  source  of  sup- 
plies. The  former  proprietors  were  of  both  parties,  and  the 
commissioners  of  the  State  of  New  York  had  sequestered  the 
estates  of  the  tories  to  the  public  use.  Col.  Udney  Hay,  who 
had  been  Assistant  Quarter-Master-General  of  the  Middle 
Department,  had  been  appointed  agent  of  the  State,  to  take 
this  property  and  other  matters  in  charge.  He  accordingly, 
in  conformity  to  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  of 
1st  July,  1781,  notified  the  Quarter-Master-General,  Col. 
Pickering,  of  his  authority;  and  made  a  demand  for  compen- 
sation for  forage  and  supplies  taken;  and  for  waste  commit- 
ted, upon  what  had  become  the  domain  of  the  State.J  The 
whig  refugees  respectively,  also  made  the  same  claim  upon 
the  government.  The  Quarter-Master-General  felt  himself 
embarrassed  by  these  demands;  and  suits  being  threatened,  he 
requested  instructions  from  head  quarters.  The  Commander- 
in-Chief  declined  to  interfere;  and  Co].  Pickering  referred 
the  matter  to  Congress.  An  angry  controversy  was  carried 
on  for  some  time,  between  the  agent  of  the  State  and  the 
committees  of  the  refugees,  on  the  one  hand;  and  the  Quar- 
ter-Master-General on  the  other.§     The  matter  was  finally 

*  Smith's  narrative.  tldem. 

$  Tillinghast  papers,  in  Historical  Society  Library.  $  Idem. 


276  ^LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

adjusted,  by  a  resolve  of  Congress,  passed  towards  the  close 
of  the  year,  directing  Gen.  Heath  to  submit  the  matter  to 
arbitration;  and  the  award  and  expenses  were  borne  by  the 
government.* 

The  design  upon  New  York  having  failed,  Washington 
resolved  upon  operations  in  the  south;  but  in  order  to  con- 
ceal his  purpose,  he  still  continued  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  enemy;  at  the  same  time,  every  preparation  was  made 
for  the  intended  expedition.!  While  engaged  in  preparing 
his  corps  for  the  march,  Col.  Lamb  received  the  following 
letter  from  a  reverend  clerical  friend,  who  seems  to  have 
scanned  the  policy  of  the  government  with  the  sagacity  of  a 
soldier. 

West  Point,  Aug.  10,  '81. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

We  have  not  any  news  here  that  deserves  a  transmission 
to  you.  The  enemy's  establishing  a  post,  somewhere  about 
lake  George,  is  reported,  and  contradicted,  believed,  and 
treated  as  a  falsehood.  This  is  all  I  know  of  the  affair.  Gene- 
rally, we  have  bread;  sometimes  beef.  The  three  months 
men  are  popping  in  from  the  eastward.  Col.  Nichols,  with 
his  invalids,  lately  arrived  here  from  Philadelphia.  A  num- 
ber of  these,  unfortunate  men,  are  capable  of  doing  no  duty, 
but  eating  their  rations.  In  their  dress,  and  other  circum- 
stances, you  may,  however,  see  visible  characters  of  the 
gratitude  of  the  country,  to  the  brave  men,  who  have  bled  in 
its  cause.  It  is  no  doubt  a  piece  of  refined  policy,  to  bring 
these  maimed  men  from  a  distant  post,  to  present  them  to 
our  soldiery,  who  have  sagacity  enough  to  infer,  that  after 
losing  eyes,  hands,  and  feet,  in  the  public  service,  that  their 
patriotic  sufferings  will  be  amply  rewarded,  by  being  put  in 
possession  of  the  honors  conferred  on  the  invalid  corps.  They 
will,  I  understand,  be  parcelled  out  to  Fishkill,  Fishkill 
Landing,  Newburgh,  and  New  Windsor,  where  some  of 
them  may  be  employed  in  easy  duty. 

As  I  am  not  in  possession  of  cabinet  secrets,  it  would  be 
presumption  in  me,  to  say,  the  hopes  of  some  leading  men 
respecting  an  attempt  on  New  York,  are  ill-founded:  but 
when  I  consider  the  present  state  of  our  public  affairs,  I  can 

*  Journals  Congress.  f  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  277 

not  help  fearing  that  nothing  of  importance  will  be  done. 
Possibly  I  may  be  mistaken:  I  wish  I  may. 

The  salvation  of  America  will  not  be  owing  to  our  policy 
or  exertions;  but  to  that  grace,  that  has  hitherto  supported 
us,  and  interposed  for  us,  when  our  hope  was  at  the  lowest 
ebb. 

I  am,  dear  sir, 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

John  Mason  * 
Col.  Lamb. 

At  length  the  order  to  march  was  given,f  and  the  artil- 
lery, placed  under  the  orders  of  Col.  Lamb,  broke  up  from 
Dobbs's  Ferry,  and,  moving  up  the  river,  crossed  at  King's 
Ferry  with  the  ordnance  and  stores  to  the  west  bank;  and 
joining  the  division  under  Gen.  Lincoln,  they  took  up  their 
march  for  the  Delaware;  while  the  manoeuvres  of  another 
part  of  the  army  seemed  to  indicate  to  the  enemy  only  a 
change  of  position  for  the  apprehended  attack  upon  the 
city.  The  artillery  was  reinforced  on  the  march,  by  the 
companies  from  West  Point,  which  had  been  ordered  to  join 
upon  the  route; J  and  the  division  of  Lincoln,  crossing  at 
Trenton,  31st  August,  joined  the  main  army  at  Philadelphia.^ 
There  the  heavy  artillery,  ordnance  and  stores,  were  em- 
barked for  Christiana  bridge;  and,  on  the  10th  Sept.,  trans- 
ported across  to  the  head  of  Elk  river,  which  falls  into  the 
Chesapeake  bay;||  while  the  army  proceeded  with  all  dis- 
patch to  the  same  point,  in  order  to  embark  for  James 
river.H  So  well  were  these  designs  concerted,  that  Wash, 
ington  had  begun  his  march  from  Philadelphia,  before  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  was  apprised  of  his  intention,  and  found  that 
it  was  too  late  to  succor  his  southern  army.** 

Calms  and  head  winds,  retarded  the  passage  down  the 
Chesapeake,  and  it  was  not  until  the  twenty-fifth  of  Septem- 
ber that  the  artillery  arrived  in  James  river. ff  Col.  Lamb 
was  ordered  to  survey  the  river,  in  order  to  find  a  convenient 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.     t  Idem.     J  Idem.     $  Idem.     ||  Idem. 
1  Idem.  **  Marshall,     ft  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc 


IS 


278  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

point  for  the  debarkation  of  the  materiel  of  his  department  * 
A  position  at  Trebel's  Landing  was  selected,  and  the  great- 
est expedition  was  made  to  get  on  shore  the  battering  train 
and  the  stores  of  the  ordnance.  Before  these  were  in  a 
state  of  readiness,  the  army  marched  down  the  peninsula, 
and  on  the  27th,  took  post  within  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  in- 
trenchments,  at  Yorktown.f  The  French  army  arrived  the 
next  day,  and  took  position  on  the  American  left;  and  the 
town  was  completely  invested  on  the  land  side,  while  the 
ships  of  France  cut  off  all  hope  of  escape  by  water.J  The 
most  unremitting  labor  was  necessary  to  perfect  the  necess- 
ary batteries;  but  the  British  General  gave  some  facility  to 
this,  by  withdrawing  from  his  out-works,  and  concentrating 
his  troops  within  the  town.  The  besiegers  persevered  with 
great  industry  in  constructing  their  works,  under  a  heavy 
fire  of  shot  and  shells  from  the  enemy;  and  it  was  not  until 
the  9th  of  October,  in  the  evening,  that  the  American  bat- 
teries were  prepared  to  play  upon  the  lines  of  the  enemy. § 

A  general  order  was  issued,||  enjoining  upon  the  artillery 
great  attention  to  the  precision  of  their  fire;  and  that  the 
ammunition  should  not  be  uselessly  expended;  and  the  offi- 
cers were  ordered  to  point  the  guns  themselves.  In  addition 
to  the  general  officers  in  command  in  the  trenches,  a  field 
officer  of  artillery  was  each  day  detailed  for  that  service; 
and  another  officer,  of  like  rank,  was  instructed  to  take  the 
direction  of  the  park,  and  superintend  the  proper  supplies  for 
the  trenches.1T  As  soon  as  the  batteries  were  ready  to  open, 
on  the  9th  Oct.,  La  Fayette  was  ordered  to  the  trenches;  and 
Lamb,  who  took  this  tour  of  duty  in  rotation  with  his 
Lieut.-Col.,  Stevens,  Lieut.-Col.  Carrington,  and  Major 
Bauman,  wras  the  field  officer  of  the  day.**  The  first  gun 
was  prepared  and  pointed,  and  Washington  himself  now  ap- 
plied the  match.ff     A  roar  of  the  enemy's  cannon  from  all 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.     f  Idem,     $  Marshall.     §  Idem. 
||  Vide  Appendix.     %  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.     **  Idem. 
tt  Thatcher's  Journal. 


f.it*.ar/?.ff  fi.„rt .  Many. 


280  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

beggars"  was  better  understood  there,  than  by  those  in  the 
disputed  redoubt.*  He  did  not  long  enjoy  his  conquest, 
for  the  guards  rallied  from  the  trenches  and  drove  him  back 
to  the  town.f  The  place  was  becoming,  hourly,  more  and 
more  untenable;  and  Cornwallis  resolved  upon  a  desperate 
effort  to  cut  his  way  through  the  detachment  of  De  Lauzun 
on  the  Gloucester  side,  and  force  a  passage  to  the  north- 
ward. Some  progress  was  made  in  this  enterprise,  but  a 
storm  dispersing  the  boats  provided  for  the  passage  of  the 
river,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  the  design.J 

The  second  parallel  was  now  completed.  The  division  of 
Steuben  was  ordered  to  the  trenches,  and  it  being  Col. 
Lamb's  tour  of  duty,  he  was  charged  with  the  direction  of 
the  artillery .§  The  fire  on  this  day,  was  the  most  severe 
that  had  yet  been  opened  upon  the  enemy;  and  so  murder- 
ous was  the  effect,  that  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
Cornwallis  beat  a  parley,  and  a  cessation  of  hostilities  ensued. 
The  firing  was  not  again  renewed;  and  the  remainder  of  the 
day,  and  the  next  after,  being  employed  in  adjusting  terms: 
on  the  nineteenth  day  of  October,  the  capitulation  was 
signed,  and  the  garrison  marched  out  as  prisoners  of  war.|| 

•  Traditional  History.  t  Marshall.  J  Idem. 

$  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.         ||  Marshall. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  281 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

American  Artillery. — Complimented  in  General  Order. — Ordered  to  the 
North. — Burlington.— Letter  from  Gov.  Clinton  — Col.  Willett. — Go- 
vernment of  Vermont. — Letter  to  Washington. — Reply. — Effects  of 
the  Capture  of  York. — Negotiations. — Inactivity  of  Congress. — Of  the 
States  generally. — Vigor  of  New  York. — Of  Connecticut. — Fourth  of 
July  at  Trenton. — March  from  Burlington. — Address  of  the  Citizens, 
— Cessation  of  hostilities  at  the  North. — Conflicts  on  the  Sound. 

The  skill  exhibited  in  the  service  of  the  American  batte- 
ries, astonished  their  more  experienced  allies;  particularly, 
as  the  officers  of  that  corps,  with  a  single  exception,*  and  he 
not  a  man  educated  in  the  army,  were  all  native  officers ;  and 
such  was  the  conduct  of  the  artillery,  that  the  commander  of 
the  brigade  received  the  especial  thanks  of  Washington,  in 
general  orders;  and  he  was  enjoined  to  convey  the  General's 
acknowledgments  to  the  whole  corps,  for  the  signal  display  of 
bravery,  and  skill,  which  they  had  at  all  times  exhibited.!  The 
French  too,  as  they  well  deserved,  received  a  due  proportion 
of  His  Excellency's  commendation;  and  the  regiments  of 
Augenois,  and  Deux  Ponts,  were  particularly  complimented 
by  a  present  of  the  two  brass  pieces  captured  in  the  redoubt 
stormed  by  them.J 

The  injunctions  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  were  obeyed 
by  Gen.  Knox,  and  the  brigade  orders,  reiterated  in  his  own 
behalf,  the  praises  which  had  been  won  by  the  officers  of  his 
corps,  by  the  gallantry  which  they  had  displayed  in  the 
trenches.§  On  the  20th  October,  the  first  division  of  the  ar- 
tillery was  ordered  to  the  head  of  Elk,  and  the  com- 
mander, not  being  prepared  immediately  to  follow,  the  corps 
was  placed  in  charge  of  Col.  Lamb,  and  ordered  for  the  north.|| 

*  Major  Bauman. 

t  Appendix  D.  {Idem.  §  Idem. 

||  Lamb  papers,  NY.  His.  Soc. 

36 


282  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

The  first  division  was  peculiarly  favored,  and  arrived,  on  the 
5th  of  November,  at  the  place  of  transit  to  the  Delaware  5 
but  the  residue  were  detained  by  bad  weather,  until  late  in 
the  month,  so  that  the  heavy  train,  with  the  ordnance  stores, 
were  not  landed  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Delaware,  near  Bur- 
lington, until  the  first  of  the  ensuing  month.*  Here,  Col. 
Lamb  was  directed  to  remain  with  part  of  the  corps,  while 
the  residue,  with  the  field  Artillery,  were  ordered  to  the  North 
river,  f  Col.  Lamb  now  applied  for  leave  of  absence,  in  order 
to  attend  to  some  pressing  affairs  with  the  Legislature  of  New 
York,  in  relation  to  his  regiment;  this  was  granted;  but  it 
was  not  until  some  days  afterwards  that  the  situation  of  the 
command,  enabled  him  to  take  his  leave  of  the  camp.  J  Be- 
fore his  departure  he  received  the  following  letter  from  Gov. 
Clinton  : 

Pokeepsie,  17  January,  1782. 
Confidential. 
Dear  Sir  : 

My  last,  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the 
6th,  and  16th  of  October,  and  was  forwarded  to  Philadelphia 
a  few  days  after  the  latter  came  to  hand. 

It  is  with  particular  satisfaction,  I  can  now  a?dress§  a  line 
to  you  in  winter  quarters,  and  congratulate  you  on  the  dis- 
tinguished success  of  the  campaign,  in  the  capture  of  a  whole 
army.  I  am  persuaded  you  will  believe  me,  when  I  assure 
you  it  added  to  the  pleasure  I  received  from  that  glorious 
event,  so  honorable  to  the  arms  of  America,  and  equally  hu- 
miliating to  British  pride,  and  arrogance,  when  I  was  in- 
formed you  had  survived  the  dangers  of  the  field.  There  is 
nothing  new  in  this  quarter,  worth  communicating.  The 
frontiers  of  the  state,  since  your  departure,  have  suffered  some 
injury;  tho'  perhaps  less  than  we  had  reason  to  apprehend, 
considering  their  extent,  and  exposed  situation;  they  are  now 
in  a  great  measure,  rendered  secure  by  the  frost.    The  usurped 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  tldem.  J  Idem. 

§  This  is  the  second  instance  only,  discovered  in  the  examination  of  a 
voluminous  correspondence,  in  which  the  omission  of  a  letter,  is  denoted 
"by  accentuation;  a  practice  used  even  in  printed  books,  two  centuries 
ago. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  283 

government  of  Vermont,  continues  to  be  as  troublesome,  and 
insolent  as  ever;  and  what  I  have  long  suspected, "  the  lead- 
ers being  in  league  with  the  enemy,"  is  daily  rendered  more 
probable.  Indeed,  in  my  opinion,  the  evidence  of  it  is  as 
conclusive,  as  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  can  be  expected. 
I  hope  greater  cordiality  prevails  at  Burlington,  than  does 
in  this  department,  where  I  am  informed,  some  unhappy  dif- 
ferences subsist,  between  the  senior  General,  and  next  in  com- 
mand, in  consequence  of  which,  the  latter  was  lately  arrested. 
Adieu,  &  believe  me  Dear  Sir, 

With  great  regard  &  esteem, 
Your 
Most 
Obed't  Serv't, 

Geo.  Clinton.* 
Colonel  John  Lamb. 

He  also  received  a  letter  from  his  old  coadjutor,  and  friend, 
Willett,  and  as  every  relic  of  that  extraordinary  man  is  valua- 
ble, it  is  inserted  entire  : 

Albany,  14  January,  1782. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  profusion  of  suc- 
cesses, that  have  attended  the  arms  employed  throughout  the 
World,  in  the  year  1781,  against  the  imperious  Britons. 
May  they  become  properly  sensible  of  their  true  importance, 
and  embrace  the  opportunities  that  the  year  '82  may  afford 
them,  of  making  their  peace,  before  it  becomes  totally  hid 
from  their  eyes.  I  think  this  is  truly  praying  for  my  ene- 
mies, and  it  is  doing  much  more  than  they  have  a  right  to 
expect  from  me;  but  inasmuch  as  peace  and  liberty,  are  the 
objects  of  our  contention,  let  the  haughty  wretches  be  pre- 
served from  entire  destruction,  if  it  can  be  done,  and  we  have 
our  objects  secured. 

Congress,  among  other  things,  owe  me  a  sword.  I  have 
formerly  wrote  to  my  friend  Goforth,  to  call  on  the  Commis- 
sary General  of  military  stores,  for  it;  but  as  Major  Goforth 
does  not  live  in  Philadelphia;  and  as  I  am  told,  you  have 
taken  up  your  quarters  there;  this,  together  with  your  com- 
mon connections  with  the  Commissary-General  of  Military 
Stores,  who  is  an  officer  in  your  department,  induces  me  to 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


284  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

request  you  to  enquire  of  him,  whether  he  has  procured  me 
a  sword,  agreeable  to  the  resolution  of  Congress  for  that  pur- 
pose, in  October  1777;  as  it  appears  to  me,  there  has  been 
sufficient  time  for  the  purpose. 

I  flatter  myself,  your  candor  will  excuse  my  troubling  you 
with  this  matter. 

Mrs.  Willett  joins  me  in  respects, 

With  Dear  Sir,  Yours  most  sincerely, 

Marinus  Willett.* 

Col.  Lamb. 

The  reply  is  as  follows  : 

Burlington,  12th  Feb'y,  1782. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  the  14th  ult.  came  to  hand  a  few  days  since. 
I  feel  myself  extremely  happy,  in  having  been  in  some  mea- 
sure, an  agent,  in  reducing  the  power  and  pride  of  Britain; 
and  hope  the  next  campaign,  will  put  an  end  to  the  horrors 
of  war;  that  every  friend  to  the  rights  of  America  may  soon 
enjoy  the  inestimable  blessings  of  peace;  and  every  one  of 
us,  "  sit  down  under  our  own  vine,  and  own  fig  tree,  and 
none  to  make  us  afraid." 

I  have  made  the  necessary  enquiry  respecting  your  sword, 
but  I  fear  it  will  be  some  time  before  you  will  have  the  plea- 
sure of  wearing  it;  as  the  public  Finances  are  not  yet  in  a 
situation  of  doing  justice,  even  to  individuals. 

Present  my  best  wishes  to  Mrs.  Willett,  and  believe  me, 
with  great  sincerity,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  friend  and  Servant, 

John  Lamb.| 

Col.  Marinus  Willett. 

The  reply  to  Governor  Clinton's  letter  is  as  follows  : 

Burlington,  14th  February,  1782. 
Dear  sir : 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the 
15th  and  17th  ultimo;  the  former  of  which  did  not  reach  my 
hands  'til  yesterday.  Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  now  en- 
close you  a  monthly  return  of  the  regiment  under  my  com- 
mand, from  which  you  will  see  the  present  state  of  it.     I 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc  fldem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  285 

have  likewise  inclosed  you  a  statement  of  the  recruits  that 
have  joined  the  regiment  since  the  late  arrangements  of  the 
army. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  altho'  there  are 
bickerings  and  heart  burnings  between  the  officers  in  some 
of  the  departments;  the  greatest  harmony  and  cordiality  sub- 
sists at  this  place.  The  only  complaint  is  a  want  of  money, 
which  is  a  source  of  vexation  and  uneasiness  to  me;  to  whom 
the  officers  and  men,  look  up,  in  some  degree,  for  redress. 
But  alass!  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  remove  the  cause  of  their 
complaints.  The  only  consolation  I  have  at  present,  is  the 
soldiers  being  better  clothed,  than  they  have  been  at  any 
time,  since  the  commencement  of  the  war;  and  that  every 
exertion  will  be  made  by  the  state,  to  do  justice  to  these 
troops,  whenever  they  are  in  a  situation  to  do  it. 

I  believe  with  your  Excellency,  that  the  leaders  in  the 
state  of  Vermont,  (as  they  are  pleased  to  call  it,)  are  in  league 
with  the  enemy;  and  I  wish  they  may  carry  matters  so  far 
as  to  convince  Congress  of  the  necessity  of  taking  them  in 
hand  before  it  is  too  late.*  I  flatter  myself  I  shall  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  soon,  as  I  intend  setting  out  for 
Poughkeepsie  in  a  few  days. 

I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  the  most  perfect  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 

Obed't  Serv't, 
His  Excellency,  John  Lamb.| 

Gov.  Clinton. 

A  storeship  had  been  expected  from  France,  with  clothing 
for  the  army,  but  it  was  taken  by  the  enemy;  and  as  many 
of  the  officers  were  but  scantily  clad,  the  financier,  with  the 
advice  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  issued  notes  to  the  offi- 

*  The  allusion  to  the  leaders  of  Vermont,  has  reference  to  a  negocia- 
tion  which  had  heen  on  foot  with  the  emissaries  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment, for  the  erection  of  a  royal  province  out  of  the  territories  claimed 
by  New  York  and  New  Hampshire,  in  possession  of  the  Vermonters. 
The  cession  of  New  York  of  their  portion  of  the  country,  was  not  made 
until  after  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution;  when,  in  1798  Ver- 
mont agreed  to  pay  to  the  state  of  New  York,  an  indemnity  to  the  claim- 
ants under  her  grants;  and  the  right  of  soil  and  jurisdiction  over  the 
debateable  land,  was  forever  relinquished  by  New  York. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y    Hist.  Soc. 


286  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

cers,  redeemable  in  six  months  in  specie,  for  two  months 
pay,  to  enable  them  to  provide  the  necessary  apparel.  These 
payments  extended  to  the  officers  alone;  and  Col.  Lamb,  be- 
ing unwilling  to  receive  relief  for  himself,  while  his  soldiers 
were  unprovided,  called  a  meeting  of  his  officers,  and  pro- 
posed to  reject  the  proffered  advance,  unless  it  was  also  given 
to  the  men.  To  his  great  gratification,  they  unanimously 
agreed  with  him;  and  a  letter  was  sent  to  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  declining  to  receive  the  advance,  and  explaining 
the  ground  of  refusal.  The  following  letter  is  the  result  of 
the  correspondence  :* 

Philadelphia,  15  February,  1782. 
Gentlemen  : 

I  was  last  evening  fav'd  with  yours  of  the  13th,  by  which 
I  perceive  that  you  are  not  fully  acquainted  with  the  motive 
which  influences  the  superintendant  of  Finance,  to  issue  to 
the  officers  only,  promissary  notes  to  a  certain  amount,  paya- 
ble in  six  months. 

It  was  expected  that  the  arrival  of  a  store-ship  from  France, 
would  have  put  it  in  our  power  to  have  supplied  the  offi- 
cers with  the  necessary  articles  of  clothing;  but^  that  ship 
has  unfortunately  miscarried.  The  financier,  upon  being  in- 
formed of  this,  and  knowing  the  distress  of  the  greater  part 
of  the  officers,  immediately  set  about  devising  a  plan  by 
which  he  might  afford  relief  to  their  wants,  without  involv- 
ing himself  deeper  in  those  difficulties,  with  which  he  is 
perplexed  by  the  scantiness  of  the  public  funds.  Upon  in- 
quiry, he  found  gentlemen  of  this  city,  willing  to  supply  a 
quantity  of  goods  proper  for  the  army,  at  their  places  of  can- 
tonment, at  a  credit  of  six  months,  as  low  as  they  can  be 
procured  elsewhere.  He  therefore  proposed  to  me  the  mea- 
sure which  is  now  about  to  be  adopted:  that  of  giving  each 
officer  a  note  for  a  certain  sum,  payable  in  six  months,  which 
the  owners  of  the  goods  will  receive  in  payment.  There  is 
no  obligation  upon  any  officer  to  take  these  notes;  or,  when 
he  has  received  them,  to  lay  them  out  in  clothing.  Should 
he  have  supplied  himself  beforehand,  he  may  keep  them  until 
the  time  of  payment — he  may  discount  them,  or  he  may  lay 
them  out  in  any  kind  of  stores  proper  for  the  campaign.     By 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB.  287 

this,  justice  is  done  to  the  officer,  and  no  injustice  to  the 
soldier.  The  public  have  complied  with  their  contract,  in 
furnishing  the  soldier  with  his  clothing  in  the  specific  arti- 
cles. They  now  do  the  same  by  the  officers,  by  advancing 
them  a  certain  sum  of  money  as  a  substitute.  Should  any 
uneasiness  or  misconceptions  arise  in  the  minds  of  the  sol- 
diery, you,  gentlemen,  and  the  other  officers  now  fully  ac- 
quainted with  the  circumstances,  may  easily  quiet  them. 

I  can  not  conclude  this  letter,  without  expressing  my  ap- 
probation of  the  laudable  motives  by  which  you  were  actu- 
ated, at  the  time  of  writing.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  see  of- 
ficers wishing  to  share  hardships,  as  well  as  benefits,  with 
their  soldiers. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem,  gent'n, 

Y'r  most  obed.  and  h'ble  serv't, 

Go.  Washington.* 

Col.  Lamb  and  Lt.-Col.  Stevens. 

The  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  was  a  death  blow  to  the  hopes 
of  the  British  commander.  His  too  tardy  efforts  to  succor 
his  beleaguered  general,  had  been  unavailing;  and  the  arma- 
ment was  remanded  to  New  York,  to  pursue  the  same  cau- 
tious system,  which  had  characterized  the  preceding  cam- 
paign. Nor  did  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  relieved  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  in  command,  adopt  a  more  enterprising  system.  The 
speech  from  the  throne,  was  sufficiently  belligerent;  but 
measures  of  a  pacific  tendency,  had  been  debated  in  Parlia- 
ment, and  the  new  commander,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Admiral  of  the  station,  were  entrusted  with  overtures  to  Con- 
gress of  a  pacific  character.  Still  the  war  in  the  south  was 
prosecuted  with  great  activity;  and  after  a  succession  of  de- 
feats, the  enemy  were  driven  into  Charleston;  and  Gen. 
Greene,  was  enabled  to  concentrate  his  forces  for  their  final 
expulsion. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  apprehended  that  the  signal 
success  at  Yorktown,  would  have  the  effect  to  relax  the  ac- 
tivity of  Congress;  and  that  the  pacific  aspect  of  the  Parlia- 
mentary proceedings,  would  arrest  the  necessary  efforts  to 

*  Lamb  papers.  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


288  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

put  the  army  in  an  efficient  condition.  He  therefore  remained 
in  Philadelphia,  bending  the  whole  force  of  his  influence,  to 
rouse  them  to  the  necessary  exertions  to  provide  for  a  vigo- 
rous campaign.  He  did  his  best  to  stimulate  the  authorities 
of  the  States  to  second  his  views  in  that  respect;  but  his 
success  was  very  limited,  as  many  of  them,  declared  their  in- 
ability to  levy  farther  taxes  from  the  people.  The  indefati- 
gable Governor  of  New  York,  responded  to  the  call  with  his 
usual  promptitude,  and  left  nothing  undone  within  the  scope 
of  his  power,  to  put  the  quota  of  the  State  upon  the  best  pos- 
sible footing;  and  Col.  Lamb  was  now  on  his  way  to  the 
seat  of  the  State  government,  to  procure  the  means  of  rilling 
the  companies  of  his  regiment.  The  great  influence  of  the 
governor  was  exerted  with  effect;  and  to  the  extraordinary 
efforts  of  that  patriotic  individual,  the  country  is  indebted 
for  efficient  aid  to  the  main  army,  and  the  checks  given  by 
the  forces  of  the  State,  during  the  preceding  year,  to  the 
marauding  parties  from  the  north  and  west;  by  which 
means,  those  important  frontiers  were  guarded,  without  the 
necessity  of  weakening  the  force  necessary  to  keep  the 
British  general  inactive  in  New  York.  A  portion  of  Lamb's 
regiment  was  raised  in  Connecticut,  and  many  of  the  officers 
and  men  were  natives  of  that  State;  who,  by  the  new  ar- 
rangement of  the  army,  were  to  be  provided  for  by  that 
government.  New  York  had  passed  an  act  for  the  liquida- 
tion of  a  part  of  the  arrears  of  pay  for  1780  in  specie;  which 
afforded  important  relief  to  the  soldiers  of  that  State,  to  whom 
alone  it  was  extended.  Sensible  of  the  hardships  of  this 
discrimination,  and  of  the  injurious  effects  it  migh  have 
upon  the  public  service,  Col.  Lamb,  on  the  19th  June,  wrote 
to  governor  Trumbull  of  Connecticut,  detailing  the  peculiar 
condition  of  this  class  of  his  regiment,  and  begged  his  influ- 
ence with  the  authorities  of  his  State,  to  remedy  the  evil. 
The  appeal  was  met  in  the  same  spirit  of  patriotism,  which 
had  marked  the  conduct  of  that  excellent  functionary,  through- 
out the  war. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  289 

The  artillery  had  been  kept  in  readiness  for  marching,  yet 
the  Commander-in-Chief  had  not  ordered  it  from  Burlington. 
This  was  the  first  time  that  Col.  Lamb  had  been  stationed  in 
pleasant  quarters,  while  the  heads  of  the  army  were  rough- 
ing it  in  camp:  and  this  comfortable  situation  endured  much 
longer  than  was  at  first  contemplated;  for  the  officers  of  the 
regiment  had  the  gratification  of  spending  the  national  birth 
day  with  the  whigs  of  New  Jersey,  at  Trenton,  by  the  special 
invitation  of  their  veteran  governor  Livingston,  which  closes 
as  follows  : 

"  I  make  no  comparisons,  because  they  say,  they  are  odious; 
but  you  will  find  no  vinegar  faces  here,  on  such  an  occasion." 

The  order  for  marching  was  at  length  given,  on  the  28th 
Aug.,  and  the  camp  was  soon  in  motion  for  the  Hudson. 
While  at  Burlington,  the  strictest  discipline  was  enjoined; 
and  the  men  were  prevented  from  exercising  the  licentious 
depredations,  too  frequently  practised  by  the  soldiery.  That 
city  had  not  always  been  as  well  protected  from  military  an- 
noyance; and  the  inhabitants  were  so  well  satisfied  on  the 
occasion,  that  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  voted  an  address  of 
thanks  in  the  following  terms: 

To  the  Hon'ble 

John  Lamb  Esquire,  Colonel  of  the  second  regiment  of 
artillery,  and  commandant  of  the  troops  lately  quartered  in 
the  city  of  Burlington. 
Sir  : 

The  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Burlington,  take  this  method 
to  acknowledge,  with  the  greatest  pleasure,  and  satisfaction, 
their  obligations  to  the  commandant,  and  the  officers  of  the 
second  regiment,  and  detachment  of  the  third  regiment  of  ar- 
tillery; the  officers  of  the  corps  of  Sappers,  and  Miners,  and 
the  officers  of  the  Artificers,  quartered  for  several  months 
past,  in  this  place,  for  their  assiduous  attention,  and  care  to 
the  rights  of  the  citizens,  in  preserving  the  greatest  subordi- 
nation, good  order,  and  regularity,  amongst  the  several  corps 
under  their  command;  and  the  inhabitants  request,  sir,  that 
you  and  the  officers,  would  accept  of  their  sincere  acknow- 
ledgments for  such  care  and  attention,  and  communicate  the 
same  to  the  soldiers  under  your  command. 
37 


290  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

If  any  troops  hereafter  shall  be  quartered  in  this  city,  we 
shall  mention  with  grateful  satisfaction,  the  worthy  corps  un- 
der your  command,  and  wish  only,  that  in  their  behavior,  they 
may  pay  the  same  regard  to  the  rights  of  the  inhabitants,  and 
imitate  the  good  example,  set  by  the  troops  which  have  just 
marched  from  this  place,  with  such  regularity  to  the  east- 
ward. 

That  a  speedy  end  may  be  put  to  the  war;  and  you  sir, 
the  officers  and  troops  under  your  command,  may  again  enjoy 
the  blessings  of  domestic  life,  is  the  sincere,  and  fervent  wish 
of  the  citizens  of  Burlington. 

Signed  by  desire,  and  in  behalf 

of  the  Inhabitants, 
Jos.  Bloomfield,  Chairman.* 
Burlington, 

Aug't  28th,  1782. 

The  friends  of  Col.  Lamb  confidently  expected  that  he 
would  be  promoted  by  Congress,  for  the  signal  services  he 
had  rendered  the  country  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  as  well 
as  upon  former  occasions.  He  had  had  the  command  of  a 
brigade,  throughout  the  march  to  the  head  of  Elk,f  and  so 
certain  seemed  his  promotion,  that  he  received  many  letters, 
congratulating  him  upon  the  prospect  of  his  advancement; 
and  more  than  one  of  the  subalterns  of  his  regiment,  made 
application  to  become  his  aid.|  He  certainly,  and  with  good 
reason,  expected  the  commission  of  Brigadier;  but  Congress 
were  niggard  of  their  rewards,  and  confined  their  favors  to 
the  commander  of  the  artillery,  who  was  made  a  Major- 
General. 

Hostilities  at  the  north  had  terminated,  and  both  armies 
remained  inactive  within  their  lines,  until  after  the  prelimi- 
nary articles  of  peace  were  signed,  when  the  American  forces 
went  into  quarters  for  the  winter,  in  the  vicinity  of  West 
Point.  There  was  a  branch  of  the  belligerents,  however,  that 
seemed  little  to  regard  the  pacific  attitude  of  the  main  ar- 

*The  same  officer  who  was  a  Major-General  in  the  last  war  with  Eng- 
land. 

t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  291 

mies,  and  there  had  been  a  constant  warfare  kept  up  between 
partizans  from  the  south  shore  of  Connecticut,  and  the  ad- 
herents of  the  British,  on  Long  Island.  Some  most  despe- 
rate battles  were  fought  upon  the  sound,  between  whale  boats 
of  opposite  parties,  and  many  bloody  encounters  took  place 
in  the  bays  of  either  coast,  which  were  well  remembered 
many  years  after  the  war.*  A  Lieutenant  of  Lamb's  regi- 
ment, was  one  of  the  most  daring  of  these  leaders;  and  the 
information  which  he  frequently  obtained,  relative  to  the  plans 
of  the  enemy  in  his  expeditions,  was  so  important  that  he 
was  furloughed,  and  permitted  to  cruise  in  the  sound,  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  secret  intelligence.! 

The  knowledge  of  the  overtures  of  the  British,  for  an  ac- 
commodation, did  not  interrupt  this  state  of  hostility,  and  even 
after  the  preliminary  articles  of  peace  were  signed,  their  com- 
bats were  as  sanguinary  as  ever.  Witness  the  following 
letter  :| 

Fairfield,  12th  Dec'r,  1782. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Your  letter  of  19th  Oct'r  last,  a  few  days  ago.  Am  sorry 
that  my  answer  to  yours,  requesting  me  to  get  some  money 
for  you,  has  miscarried.  Agreeable  to  your  directions,  I  sent 
one  of  my  men  with  it  to  Mr.  Lawrence,  at  Danbury,  who 
took  charge  of,  and  forwarded  it,  unfortunately  by  an  unsafe 
hand.  The  business  you  requested  me  to  do  for  you,  I  put 
in  train,  and  am  hopeful  by  the  time  I  am  able  to  cross  the 
sound  again,  it  will  be  finished;  as  soon  as  it  is,  I  shall  in- 
form you. 

Last  Saturday,  I  had  a  severe  action  on  the  water,  with 

*  Could  the  traditional  history  of  these  sanguinary  encounters  he  col- 
lected, they  would  afford  matters  for  the  pens  of  Cooper,  and  Hoffman, 
as  fertile  as  any  of  those  which  they  have  rendered  so  interesting.  The 
writer  of  this  had  a  relative  who  was  engaged  in  one  of  the  bloodiest  of 
these  combats.  In  a  twelve  oared  barge,  on  the  point  of  landing  on  the 
Long  Island  shore,  he  received  a  volley  from  a  party  in  ambuscade,  which 
prostrated  the  whole  crew,  and  when  his  boat  was  picked  up,  by  a  vessel 
cruizing  in  the  sound,  he,  and  one  other,  most  severely  wounded,  were 
all  that  remained  alive. 

tLaub  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  J  Idem. 


292  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Joseph  Hoit;  myself,  and  four  others,  were  wounded;  one  of 
them  died  last  night:  the  rest  of  us  likely  to  recover.  Five 
of  the  enemy  are  no  more;  several  others  wounded;  the  pri- 
soners are  sent  to  West  Point. 

I  am  with  respect  &  esteem, 

Dear  Sir,  Your  most  Obed't  Serv't, 

C.  Brewster.* 
Col.  Lamb. 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Sac. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  293 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Lamb  on  Furlough. — Confined  all  Winter  with  the  Gout. — Not  in  Camp 
when  the  Newburgh  Letters  were  produced. — Denounced  the  Author. 
— Order  of  the  Cincinnati. — Opposed  by  Many. — Attacked  by  Judge 
Burke. — Lamb  a  Member. — City  Evacuated. — Return  of  the  Exiles. 
Lamb  elected  to  the  Assembly. — Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Com- 
merce.— Adverse  to  the  Restoration  of  the  Royalists. — Votes  against 
them. — Chairman  of  Committee  on  regulation  of  Trade,  and  the  Mili- 
tia.— Favors  the  establishment  of  a  Bank. — The  emission  of  Bills  of 
Credit. — The  Bill  for  the  Disfranchising  of  the  Tories. — Appointed 
Collector  of  the  Customs  of  New  York,  and  withdraws  from  the  Legis- 
lature.— Tories  favored  by  Schuyler,  and  Hamilton,  gain  Ground. — 
British.— French  Parties.— Death  of  Anthony  Lamb.— His  Character. -- 
La  Fayette  embarks  from  New  York. — French  Officers  and  Citizens 
insulted. — Complaint  of  the  French  Consul. — Action  of  the  Legisla 
tureon  motion  of  Col.  Burr. — Weakness  of  the  Confederacy. — Quali- 
fied Grant  of  the  Imposts  to  Congress. — Deemed  insufficient. — Convo- 
cation at  Anapolis. — Call  of  the  Convention. — Gov.  Clinton  refuses  a 
special  Call  of  the  Legislature,  at  the  request  of  Congress. 

Symptoms  of  his  old  complaint,  compelled  Col.  Lamb  to 
leave  the  cantonment,  and  join  his  family  at  Southington, 
where  a  severe  fit  of  the  gout  set  in,  which  held  him  prisoner 
until  the  opening  of  the  spring.*  During  his  absence  from 
camp,  the  incendiary  letters,  which  have  given  unenviable 
renown  to  an  individual,  even  then  celebrated  for  talents  of 
a  peculiar  character,  had  well  nigh  set  the  country  in  aflame; 
protracted  the  conclusion  of  peace;  and  forever  sullied  the 
fame  of  that  army,  whose  unexampled  patience,  and  forti- 
tude, had  established  their  claim  to  the  applause  of  the  world, 
and  the  gratitude  of  their  country.f  It  needed  all  the  super- 
human prudence  of  Washington,  and  the  exertion  of  the  un- 
bounded influence  which  his  virtues,  and  talents  had  acquired, 
to  quench  the  flame  which  the  modern  Erostratus  had  en- 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 
t  Marshall. 


294  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

kindled;  and  in  none  of  the  miraculous  events  of  the  war, 
had  the  firmness,  and  sagacity  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
achieved  a  greater  triumph  than  in  crushing  the  hydra,  that 
threatened  in  an  evil  hour,  to  destroy  the  fruits  of  all  his  for- 
mer labors.* 

The  tact  and  caution  of  the  General,  frustrated  the  unhal- 
lowed combination;  the  'disaffection  so  suddenly  inflamed, 
disappeared  at  once;  the  disappointed  conspirators  shrunk 
from  their  traitorous  designs,  and  tranquility  was  restored.f 

No  man  of  the  army,  more  cordially  partook  of  the  indig- 
nant feelings  excited  by  the  occasion;  nor  rallied  round  the 
Commander-in-Chief  with  more  determined  zeal  for  his  sup- 
port, than  Col.  Lamb.  J  He  had  ever  held  the  talents,  and 
devotion  of  Washington,  in  the  highest  veneration;  and  if 
at  any  time  he  doubted,  respecting  some  movements  of  the 
army,  he  never  questioned  the  motives  of  the  Commander, 
although  he  may  have  dissented  from  the  opinions  of  his 
advisers.§ 

The  time  wras  fast  approaching  when  the  officers  of  the 
army  were  to  separate,  and  return  to  their  several  avoca- 
tions in  civil  life.  To  preserve  their  recollections  of  each 
other,  and  of  the  many  hardships  and  dangers  which  they 
had  shared  together,  as  well  as  to  commemorate  the  kind 
feelings  and  fellowship  with  our  allies,  which  had  been 
engendered  by  these  associations,  the  society  of  Cincinnati 
was  formed.  The  design  was  first  openly  suggested  by 
Gen.  Knox,  and  was  concurred  in  by  most  of  the  officers  of 
the  army. 1 1     But  some  features  in  the  constitution,  particu- 

*  Marshall. 

fLamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  §  Idem. 

||  The  merit  of  this  design  may  be  shared,  if  not  wholly  claimed,  for 
the  brave  and  talented  aid  of  Gen.  Knox,  as  will  appear  from  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  the  valuable  and  interesting  memoir  of  that  gentleman, 
by  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy. 

"  Major  Shaw  took  an  active  and  efficient  part  in  the  formation  of  the 
society  of  the  Cincinnati.     He  was  chosen  secretary  of  the  committee  of 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  295 

larly  the  right  of  primogeniture  in  succession,  gave  alarm  to 
the  more  rigid  of  the  Whigs,  among  whom  was  Judge 
iEdanus  Burke,  of  South  Carolina,  who  attacked  it  with 
great  vehemence,  as  an  incipient  order  of  nobility,*  and  an 
attempt  to  establish  the  pretensions  of  the  military  to  rank 
above  the  mass  of  citizens.  Although  no  man  wras  more  in- 
flexibly republican  in  his  principles  than  Col.  Lamb,  he 
could  not  see  in  the  establishment  of  that  institution  the 
dangers  ascribed  to  it  by  its  opposers.  The  tinsel  of  dis- 
tinction, the  pomp  of  ribbands  and  orders,  had  no  allurements 
for  him;  but  he  cherished  with  devotion  the  many  associa- 
tions of  his  military  life;  and  viewing  the  symbols  as  the 
shibboleth  of  patriotism,  he  readily  consented  to  become  a 
member.  History  has  proved  how  groundless  were  the  fears 
excited  on  the  occasion;  and  the  aspirant  for  favor  from  the 
government  in  modern  times,  if  of  the  Cincinnati,  will  lock 
his  ribband  and  medal  in  his  cabinet,  rather  than  produce 
them  as  the  foundation  of  preferment,  civil  or  military. 
That  society  answered  for  a  while  the  purposes  for  which  it 
was  intended;  and  the  legitimate  possessors  of  the  badges, 
even  at  this  day,  are  justly  proud  of  the  evidences  of  the  en- 
durance and  patriotism  of  their  progenitors. 

The  time  had  arrived  when  the  British  were  to  evacuate 
the  country,!  and  Col.  Lamb,  after  an  exile  of  eight  years, 
returned,  on  the  25th  Nov.,  to  his  native  city,  leaving  his 
family  at  their  residence  in  Connecticut.  It  was  not  long 
after  the  reoccupation,  before  the  evils  anticipated  in  Col. 
Malcom's  letter  of  July,  1778,  began  to  be  felt.  Those 
who  had  remained  acquiescent  under  the  British,  and  who 
had  not  by  expatriation  forfeited  their  estates,  still  kept 
possession  of  their  stations,  and  claimed  protection  of  the 
American  authorities-^     As  this  wras  granted,  it  emboldened 

officers  of  the  army  who  formed  it,  and  according  to  information  derived 
from  the  late  Col.  Timothy  Pickering,  the  original  draft  of  its  constitu- 
tion was  from  his  pen." 

*  Histories  of  the  time.  t  Loudon.     Holt.  J  Idem. 


296  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

many,  who  had  been  attainted,  to  return;  and  applications 
were  made  to  compound  for  estates  under  sequestration, 
which  had  not  been  sold  by  the  Commissioners  of  Forfeitures. 
It  need  not  be  said,  that  Col.  Lamb  was  among  the  most 
adverse  to  the  reinstatement  of  the  Tory  families;  and  in 
this  he  was  joined  by  most  of  his  cotemporaries  of  1766. 
This  was  the  first  agitation  which  divided  the  state  and 
drew  the  lines  of  party;  which,  however  they  may  have 
since  diverged,  were  for  a  long  period  afterwards  distin- 
guishable. The  first  election  after  the  peace  was  decisive  of 
the  ascendency  of  the  uncompromising  Whigs.*  John 
Lamb,  Marinus  Willett,  Henry  Rutgers,  Isaac  Sears,  John 
Stagg,  William  Malcom,  Robert  Harpur,  Peter  P. Van  Zandt, 
and  Hugh  Hughes,  were  chosen  members  of  the  Assembly .f 
Most  of  these  had  been  active  "  Sons  of  Liberty,"  and  all 
sound,  undeviating  whig  partizans.  On  the  opening  of  the 
session,  a  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  report  an 
answer  to  the  Governor's  speech,  and  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  and 
John  Lamb,  were  two  of  that  committee.  The  authorship  of 
the  reply  may  be  safely  attributed  to  one  of  these,  but  to 
which  of  the  two  can  not  now  be  determined.!  Col.  Lamb 
was  also  upon  several  other  committees  of  importance,  and 
chairman  of  those  on  the  regulations  of  trade  and  the  militia. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  joint  committee  of  both  Houses  to 
consider  the  conflicting  relations  between  this  state  and 
Vermont,§  and  favored  the  resolutions  intended  to  quicken 
the  tardy  action  of  Congress,  and  to  coerce  that  body  into 
measures  to  quell  the  dangerous  insurrection  then  existing, 
by  a  final  settlement  of  the  question.  At  this  session, 
Robert  R.  Livingston  brought  forward  a  proposition  to  char- 
ter a  bank;||  it  was  referred  to  a  committee,  of  which  Isaac 
Sears  was  chairman,  who  reported  a  bill  for  that  purpose,1T 
which  was  sustained  by  Col.  Lamb.  This  bill  failed,  but  a 
banking   association  was   formed  in  New  York,  of  which 

*  Appendix  F.    f  Loudon's  paper  and  Journals  of  Assembly,    J  Idem. 
§  Idem.  ||  Journals  of  Assembly.  %  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  297 

Alexander  McDougall,  then   a  member  of  the  Senate,  was 
the  first  president.*     A  bill  was  also  brought  in,  to  autho- 
rize a  new  emission  of  bills  of  credit,  to  be  issued  on  loan. 
Although  this  act  was  identical    in  purpose  with  the  one 
proposed   by   the   Assembly   of   1769,  which   was   so  ve- 
hemently denounced,  it  did  not  meet  with  the  same  reproba- 
tion from  those  who  had  taken  the  most  active  part  in  the 
proceedings  of  that  period;  for  Col.  Lambf  and  his  coadju- 
tors supported   it  in  the  House,  and  McDougall,  who  had 
suffered  so  many  months  imprisonment  for  resistance  to  the 
project  of  Gov.  Colden,  did  not  hesitate  to  support  the  same 
scheme,J    wnen    emanating    from   a    different   functionary. 
The  circumstances  of  the  case  were  changed;  and  the  power 
and  patronage,  denounced  as  dangerous   in  the  hands  of  a 
royal  governor,  were  safe,   and  even  beneficent,  under  the 
control   of  a  republican  chief  magistrate.     On  one   point, 
however,  Col.  Lamb  was  intractable;  and  to  the  prayers  of 
many,  who  had  adhered  to  the  enemy  during  the  war,  for 
permission  to  return,  he  was  inflexibly  opposed.^     At  this 
session,  a  bill  was  passed  by  the  Assembly,  1st  May,   1784, 
by  a  vote  of  32  to  9,  "  delaring  certain  description  of  per- 
sons without  the  protection  of  the  laws  of  this  state  ;"||  hav- 
ing for   its  object  the  continued  disfranchisment  of  all   such 
as  had  adhered  to  the  British  government  during  the  war. 
This   bill   was  amended  in  the  Senate;  the  title   of  the  act 
was  altered  to  "  An  act  to  preserve  the  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence of  this  state,  and  for  other  purposes  therein  men- 
tioned ;"1T  and  a  more  stringent  clause  inserted  against  the 
disfranchised  individuals.     Against  this,  Gen's  Schuyler  and 
McDougall  and  William  Floyd  recorded  their  votes;**  but  a 
majority  of  the  Senate  sustaining  it,  it  passed  by  ten  to  six. 
Col.  Lamb  was  not  in  the  Legislature  at  the  time  of  the  final 
passage  of  this  law.     He  had  received  the  appointment  from 
the  Council,  of  collector  of  the  customs  for  the  port  of  New 

*  Loudon's  paper.  f  Journals  of  Assembly.  f  Idem. 

§  Idem.  ||  Idem.  ^  Idem.  **  Idem. 

38 


298  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

York,*  and  had  vacated  his  seat  to  assume  the  duties  of  his 
new  station.  Had  he  been  there,  he  would,  undoubtedly, 
have  given  it  his  support.f 

Notwithstanding  the  decisive  action  of  the  Legislature  for 
the  exclusion  of  the  loyalists,  the  popular  feeling  against 
their  restoration,  was  gradually  relaxing.  Many  of  the 
soundest  of  the  whig  party,  with  General  Schuyler  at  the 
head,  were  disposed  to  remove  their  disqualifications;  and 
Col,  Hamilton  warmly  espousing  their  cause,  exerted  the  in- 
fluence of  his  great  talents  and  eloquence  in  their  behalf.J 
The  opposition  imagined  that  this  measure  savored  of  an  un- 
due subservience  to  British  influences;  and  the  exultation  of 
the  refugees,  as  their  prospects  of  restoration  brightened, 
tended  much  to  strengthen  the  suspicion.  The  natural  con- 
sequences of  such  belief,  drew  the  other  party  to  the  side  of 
France.  And  at  that  early  period,  parties  assumed  a  posi- 
tion, which  subsequent  events  more  strongly  defined;  and 
which  for  many  years,  was  the  pivot  upon  which  the  most 
important  changes  of  our  political  history  have  turned.  § 

General  Lamb,  on  his  return  to  the  city,  had  collected  the 
remnant  of  his  property;  and  from  the  avails  of  which,  and 
with  the  certificates  issued  by  the  government  for  deprecia- 
tion of  pay  and  for  services,  he  purchased  largely  of  the 
public  lands;  which  had  lapsed  to  the  state  by  the  attainder 
of  their  former  owners.  The  first  purchases  proved  fortu- 
nate, and  they  were  disposed  of  at  a  great  advance.  Others 
equally  successful  were  embarked  in;  and  the  revenue  de- 
rived from  these  speculations,  together  with  the  emoluments 
of  his  office,  enabled  him  to  gratify  his  hospitality  and  be- 
nevolence.|| 

His  house  was  always  open  to  the  soldier  of  the  revolu- 
tion; whatever  had  been  the  sphere  in  which  he  had  served; 
and  all  his  old  companions  were  welcomed  with  fraternal 
kindness.     He  suffered  now,  a  severe  deprivation,  in  the  loss 

*  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Appointment.  t  Appendix  F. 

t  Papers  of  the  day.  §  Idem.  ||  Family  history. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  299 

of  his  father,  who  had  twice  been  broken  up  in  his  business, 
during  the  war.  Once  when  driven  from  the  city  on  the  ap- 
proach of  the  British  in  1776;  and  again  at  New  Haven 
three  years  afterwards,  at  the  second  incursion  of  Tryon  into 
Connecticut.  This  venerable  old  man,  whose  virtues  had  en- 
deared him  to  all  his  acquaintance,  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
one.  He  had  the  gratification  of  witnessing  the  complete  suc- 
cess of  the  revolution,  which  he  had  ardently  sustained  in 
every  stage  of  its  existence.* 

The  Marquis  de  La  Fayette,  who  had  twice  crossed  the 
ocean  to  assist  us  in  war,  again  visited  us.  Whether  his 
object  was  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  friendship  between  the 
two  nations  by  the  establishment  of  commercial  relations,  or 
once  more  to  behold  his  great  prototype,  is  not  known;  but 
during  his  stay,  he  was  instrumental  in  perfecting  some  ne- 
gociations  profitable  to  the  American  trade.f  This,  and  the 
general  facilities  afforded  by  France  to  commercial  inter- 
course, contrasting  with  the  restrictive  policy  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, strengthened  the  growing  attachment  of  the  radical 
whigs  to  our  former  allies.  General  Lamb,  although  he  had 
not  at  first  viewed  the  employment  of  the  French  land  forces 
with  a  favorable  eye,  became  reconciled  to  the  measure,  as 
the  efficiency  of  the  alliance  disclosed  itself;  and  in  the 
course  of  active  service,  he  had  imbibed  a  warm  attachment 
to  many  of  the  officers  of  that  nation.  For  La  Fayette  par- 
ticularly, he  always  cherished  a  sincere  friendship,  and  when 
that  distinguished  patriot,  was  preparing  to  reembark  from 
the  Battery,  on  his  return,  on  the  23d  December,  he,  with 
Governor  Clinton,  and  other  military  officers,  escorted  him 
to  the  barge,  which  was  to  convey  him  to  the  ship.J 

The  good  feelings  exhibited  towards  our  former  allies, 
gave  much  dissatisfaction  to  the  other  party;  and  it  was 
not  long  before  it  was  openly  manifested.^  A  French  packet 
was  lying  off  the  Battery,  and  several  gentlemen  of  the  city 
had  been  visitors  on  board.  As  they  were  returning,  escorted 

*  Papers  of  the  day.     Family  history. 

t  Papers  of  the  day.  J  Idem.  §Jdem. 


300  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

by  some  French  officers,  in  a  barge  belonging  to  the  vessel 
a  boat,  manned  from  the  British  ships  in  the  stream,  on  the 
18th  April,  1785,  purposely  ran  into  her,  and  a  skirmish  en- 
sued.* Some  tories  on  the  wharf  joined  in  the  affray,  and 
pelted  the  French  party  with  stones,  but  the  whigs  rallied, 
and  took  them  into  custody.f  This  outrage  was  complained 
of  by  St.  John,  the  French  Consul,  to  the  Legislature,  at  that 
time  in  session;!  and  on  the  motion  of  Colonel  Burr,  of  the 
20th,  then  a  member,  the  assembly  resolved,  "  That  it  was 
a  daring  and  premeditated  insult,  to  the  lawrs  and  govern- 
ment, of  this  state ;"  offering  a  reward  for  the  arrest,  and 
punishment  of  the  offenders:  and  ordering  the  speedy  trial  of 
those  already  in  custody;  in  which  the  senate  concurred.^ 

The  weakness  of  the  old  confederation,  and  its  insuffi- 
ciency for  the  purposes  of  government,  were  becoming  more 
and  more  apparent.  In  1781,  New  York  had  granted  to 
Congress,  the  impost  duties  collected  within  her  borders  sub- 
ject to  the  control  and  regulation  of  the  confederacy.)  |  But 
at  the  peace,  the  Legisluture  repealed  the  law;  established 
custom  houses,  and  took  the  collection  into  the  hands  of  the 
state.1T  Repeated  attempts  were  made  to  restore  this  power 
to  Congress,  which  were  resisted  by  the  Legislature.**  But 
in  1786,  the  revenues,  excepting  the  salaries  of  the  collect- 
ing officers,  not  to  exceed  eight  per  cent,  were  granted;  re- 
serving to  the  state,  the  appointment  and  control  of  the  offi- 
cers collecting;  and  also  providing  for  the  receipt  of  the 
bills  of  credit  of  this  state,  in  payment  of  the  duties.ft  This 
measure  was  unsatisfactory  to  Congress,  and  the  party  in 
favor  of  a  more  unlimited  grant,  were  strenuous  for  an  un- 
limited grant,  and  the  federal  regulation  of  commerce;  which 
was  as  strenuously  opposed  on  the  other  hand.JJ  As  a  mean 
of  affecting  the  object,  Congress  passed  a  resolve,  recommend- 
ing a  meeting  of  delegates  from  the  different  states,  at  An- 

*  Papers  of  the  day.  f  Idem.  J  Journals  of  Assembly. 

§  Journals  of  Assembly.  ||  Idem.  %  Idem  **  Idem. 

ft  Idem.  |J  Journals  of  Congress. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  301 

apolis,  in  September;  and  this  assembly  produced  the  call 
of  the  Convention  at  Philadelphia  in  May  following,  in  order 
to  revise  the  articles  of  the  Confederation. 

To  ensure  the  adoption  of  these  measures  by  New  York, 
and  to  carry  into  effect  the  restoration  of  the  loyalists,  it  was 
important  to  their  advocates,  that  the  public  opinion  in  re- 
lation to  the  disputed  points,  should  undergo  a  change.  And 
the  great  talents  and  influence  of  Colonel  Hamilton  were 
exerted  to  carry  this  into  effect.  The  operation  of  the  Bank 
established  under  his  auspices,  was  no  slight  auxiliary  in 
enabling  him  to  carry  his  points;  and  by  the  powerful  means 
within  his  control,  aided  by  his  writings  and  speeches,  he 
produced  the  result  which  his  friends  desired.*  A  revolu- 
tion in  the  city  was  brought  about;  and  notwithstanding  the 
strongest  men  of  the  opposite  party  were  put  in  nomination 
against  it,  the  ticket,  with  Hamilton  at  the  head,  was  elected 
by  a  considerable  majority .f 

On  the  meeting  of  the  Legislature,  Richard  Varrick  was 
chosen  speaker  of  the  Assembly-!  The  Governor  in  his  ad- 
dress to  the  House,  explained  his  reasons  for  not  convening 
them  before  the  time  of  their  stated  meeting,  in  the  same 
terms  which  he  had  before  used  in  his  answer  to  the  requi- 
sition of  Congress. 

On  the  20th  January,  1787,  Messrs.  Jones,  Hamilton  and 
Gordon,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  report  an  answer  to 
the  Governor's  speech.  Mr.  Hamilton,  from  that  body,  re- 
ported to  the  committee  of  the  whole  house,  the  answer 
agreed  upon.§  The  speaker,  Mr.  Varrick,  then  moved  an 
amendment  to  the  first  clause  in  the  following  words  :  After 
the  words  "  beg  leave,"  insert  "  to  express  our  approbation 
of  your  Excellency's  conduct,  in  not  convening  the  Legisla- 
ture at  an  earlier  period."))  Colonel  Malcom  moved  an  ad- 
ditional amendment,  confirmatory  of  the  legislative  approba- 
tion of  the  Governor's  course.il    Action  of  course,  was  first 

*  Phociorrs  Essays.  f  Loudon's  papers. 

J  Journal-  •-  Assembly.  $  Idem.  ||  Idem.  ^Idem. 


302  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

had  on  the  last  amendment,  which  was  supported  by  the 
speaker,  but  rejected.  The  original  motion,  (the  amend- 
ment proposed  by  the  speaker,)  was  put  and  carried.  Colo- 
nels Varrick  and  Malcom  voting  for  it;  and  Messrs.  C.  Liv- 
ing: ton,  Hamilton,  Bayard,  Denning,  Brooks,  Gordon,  J. 
Livingston,  Sickles  and  Dongan,  voting  in  the  negative.* 

One  of  the  first  steps  of  Colonel  Hamilton  in  the  House, 
was  to  procure  the  repeal  of  the  act  disfranchising  the  ad- 
herents of  the  crown,  during  the  war,  and  to  secure  their  ad- 
mission to  the  full  rights  of  citizens  at  future  elections.!  A 
measure  preliminary  to  others  in  contemplation;  as  the  in- 
crease of  votes  to  his  party  by  the  removal  of  existing  dis- 
qualifications, would  ensure  a  future  preponderance  of  his 
influence.  If  public  opinion  had  undergone  a  change  in 
many  respects;  in  none,  had  a  more  extensive  alteration 
taken  place,  than  in  regard  to  the  continued  exclusion  of  the 
tories.  For  among  other  powerful  and  influential  members 
of  the  whig  party,  Gen.  Malcom,  who  had  so  strongly  de- 
precated the  revival  of  aristocratic  influences,  and  the  resto- 
ration of  the  Royalists,  in  his  letter  of  July  1778,  now  be- 
came a  strenuous  advocate  for  their  admission,  and  voted  with 
Hamilton,  in  every  stage  of  the  act  of  repeal.  It  passed  in 
the  House  on  the  last  of  January,  and  the  influence  of  Gen. 
Schuyler  carried  it  through  the  Senate,  on  the  3d  February, 
a  few  days  afterwards.!  Not  the  same  success  attended  the 
effort  to  surrender  the  control  of  the  imposts  to  Congress;  for 
the  attempt  in  the  House,  under  the  same  auspices  that  had 
passed  the  other  bill,  failed.§  The  next  important  step,  was 
to  obtain  the  assent  of  the  Legislature  to  the  appointment  of 
delegates  to  the  General  Convention.^  This  was  carried,  and 
on  the  6th  March,  they  were  elected,  two  of  whom,  Robert 
Yates,  and  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  well  known  to  be  adverse  to 
the  political  views  of  Hamilton,  were  chosen,  and  that  gen- 
tleman himself,  was  elected  as  the  third.1T 

*  Journals  of  Assembly.         f  Idem.         J  Idem.         $  Journals  Senate, 
II  Journals  of  Assembly.  Tf  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  303 

There  was  in  this  Legislature,  a  decided  majority  in  favor 
of  preserving  the  rights  of  the  states  in  full  sovereignty,  and 
for  sustaining  the  Governor,  and  his  party;*  though  not  so 
large  as  Mr.  Hammond  supposes,  when  he  considers  the  vote 
approving  the  refusal  to  convene  the  Legislature,  at  the  desire 
of  Congress,  a  test  vote  :  for  on  that  vote,  Richard  Varrick, 
then,  and  ever  afterwards  the  friend,  personal,  and  political, 
of  Hamilton,  was  with  the  majority.!  It  is  most  likely  that 
the  vote  of  the  preceding  session,  on  expunging  from  the  act, 
granting  the  imposts  to  Congress,  the  clause  giving  the  con- 
trol, and  removal  of  the  collecting  officers  to  that  body,  which 
stood  in  the  Senate,  11  to  5,  and  in  the  House,  21  to  32,  was 
the  truer  test  J  It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  majority 
might  have  defeated  Hamilton's  election  as  a  delegate;  but 
the  call  of  the  convention  being  "  for  the  sole,  and  express 
purpose  of  revising  the  articles  of  the  confederation,"  the 
dominant  party  thought  they  could  safely  trust  the  interests 
of  the  state,  to  delegates,  the  majority  of  whom  were  for  the 
preservation  of  its  sovereign  powers  ;§  but  they  knew  not 
the  boldness,  and  energy  of  the  man,  whom  they  had  joined 
to  the  other  delegates,  and  little  appreciated  the  extraordi- 
nary powers  of  a  mind,  which  was  to  convince  by  argument, 
and  overbear  by  eloquence,  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  in  the  result,  compel  them  to  justify  the  exercise  of 
powers  usurped  from  them,  for  their  especial  benefit.|| 

*  Journals  of  Assembly.  fldem.  J  Idem.  $Idem. 


304  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Influence  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  declines. — McDougall  secedes. — Dies. — 
Schuyler,  and  Hamilton  in  the  ascendant.— Sears  on  a  Voyage  to  China. 
— Dies  at  Canton. — Of  the  old  agitators,  Lamb,  Hughes,  and  Willett, 
of  the  States  Rights  Party. — Convention  assembles  in  Philadelphia. — 
Debates. — Propositions  which  transcend  the  Powers  of  the  New  York 
Delegation  submitted. — Favored  by  Hamilton. — Opposed  by  Yates, 
and  Lansing. — They  secede  from  the  Convention.  —  Constitution 
adopted. — General  Dissatisfaction. — Appeased  by  the  Efforts  of  Hamil- 
ton, Jay,  and  Madison. — Organization  of  the  Opponents  of  Ratification, 
without  Preliminary  Amendments. — Lamb  Chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Correspondence. — Anti-Adoptionists  assume  the  Name  of  Fede- 
deral  Republicans. — Letters  of  Patrick  Henry. — Richard  Henry  Lee. 
— iEdanus  Burke. — Rawlins  Lowndes. —  Samuel  Chase. —  Joshua 
Atherton. — George  Clinton. — Reorganization  of  the  Non-Adoptionists 
as  Federal  Republicans. — Propose  George  Clinton  as  the  Candidate  of 
the  Party  for  Vice  President,  with  Washington. — Amendments  adopted, 
and  acquiescence  of  the  State  Rights  Party. 

The  old  association  of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty"  had  lost  its 
organized  power.  McDougall  had  in  1784,  and  1785,  voted 
with  Schuyler,  and  probably  at  the  time  of  his  death,  June, 
1786,  adherred  to  the  Hamilton  party.  Sears  was  absent  on 
a  voyage  to  China,  where  he  died,  on  the  28th  October,  in 
the  same  year.  Of  the  active  revolutionary  agitators,  but 
few  remained;  of  these,  Lamb,  Hughes,  Willett,  and  others, 
continued  firm  to  the  Clinton  party,  and  strenuous  advocates 
for  the  integrity  of  state  power;*  but  the  time  was  passed 
when  they  could  influence  the  popular  suffrage.  They  had 
been  beaten  in  the  April  election,  of  1787,  and  the  opera- 
tion of  the  act  repealing  the  disqualifications  of  the  Loyalists, 
had  increased  the  power  of  their  opponents,  and  placed  them 
in  a  hopeless  minority  in  the  city.f 

*  Loudon's  papers.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  305 

The  Convention  assembled  at  Philadelphia,  and  carried  on 
its  deliberations  with  closed  doors.*  This  act  was  enough 
to  excite  alarm  in  the  minds  of  the  State  Rights  men;  but 
when  it  became  known  that  two  of  the  delegates  from  New 
York  had  seceded  from  the  Convention,!  because  they  could 
take  no  farther  part  in  the  discussions  without  exceeding  the 
authority  delegated  to  them;  and  that  the  remaining  one,  re- 
gardless of  the  limited  powers  entrusted  to  him,  was  disposed 
to  exceed  the  more  daring,  in  the  formation  of  the  new  go- 
vernment, the  alarm  was  increased.!  The  people  of  New 
York  were  apprised  of  the  points  in  discussion,  by  their  se- 
ceding delegates;  and  also  by  the  letter  of  Luther  Martin,§  to 
the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  and  a  large  majority  were  fully 
prepared  to  oppose  the  form  of  government  thus  forced  upon 
them. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  Col.  Hamilton  as- 
sumed the  responsibility  of  signing  it  in  behalf  of  New  York;|| 
although  his  colleagues  had  considered  themselves  driven  to 
secession,  by  the  extraordinary  powers  assumed  by  the  Con- 
vention; and  on  its  promulgation  to  the  people,  the  new  form 
of  government  so  far  transcended  in  power  the  former  con 
federacy,  and  made  such  encroachments  on  the  rights  of  the 
states,  that  it  created  the  greatest  ferment.H  From  South 
Carolina  to  New  Hampshire,  a  large  proportion  of  the  peo- 
ple wTere  resolved  upon  opposing  its  adoption;**  denouncing 
it  as  anti-federal  in  its  principles;  as  a  perfect  consolidation 
of  power  in  the  general  government,  and  a  total  destruction 
of  the  state  sovereignties.ft  They  proclaimed  themselves  as 
the  exponents  of  the  true  federative  principles,  and  denounced 
the  defenders  of  the  acts  of  the  Convention,  as  dangerously 
monarchial  in  their  opinions,  and  designs. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  friends  of  the  new  system,  main- 
tained that  it  was  strictly  a  federal  government;  that  they 

*Secrect  debates  of  the  Convention,       fldem.       J  Idem.       $  Idem. 
||  Constitution.       II  Papers  of  the  day.  **  Idem, 

ft  Idem  and  Lamb  papers.  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

39 


306  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

were,  in  fact,  the  true  Federal  party,  and  so  successful  were 
the  labors  of  Hamilton,  assisted  by  Jay,  and  Madison;*  and  so 
effective  were  the  arguments  of  those  able  writers,  that  they 
demonstrated  the  existence  of  the  true  federative  principles 
in  the  Constitution,  and  the  claim  of  its  friends  to  be  deno- 
minated the  Federal  party.f  The  opposition  thus  deprived 
of  the  original  name,  under  which  they  had  sought  to  rally, 
in  many  of  the  states,  and  in  some  parts  of  this  state,J  adopt- 
ed the  party  designation  applied  to  them  by  their  opponents, 
and  consented  to  style  themselves  Anti-Federalists.§  In  the 
southern  part  of  the  state,  however,  and  particularly  in  the 
city,  they  did  not  so  readily  abandon  their  claim  to  Federal- 
ism; and  the  Clinton  party,  opposed  to  the  restoration  of  the 
Royalists,  and  zealous  advocates  of  State  Rights,  organized 
themselves  for  opposition  to  the  Constitution,  under  the  name 
of  Federal  Republicans.|| 

A  society  under  that  designation  was  formed,  consisting  of 
the  old  leaders  of  that  party,  of  which  Gen.  Lamb  was  the 
Chairman,  and  Charles  Tillinghast,  his  son-in-law,  was  Se- 
cretary, and  a  correspondence  was  opened  with  the  leading 
men  of  several  states  of  the  Union,  to  concert  measures  to 
prevent  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution.^  Of  these,  were 
Judge  Burke,  and  Rawlins  Lowndes,  of  South  Carolina;  Tim- 
othy Bloodworth,  of  North  Carolina;!!  Patrick  Henry,  Rich- 
ard Henry  Lee,  George  Mason,  and  William  Grayson,  of 
Virginia;**  Samuel  Chase,  of  Maryland  ;ff  and  Joshua  Ather- 
ton,  of  New  Hampshire.||  All  these  entered  very  zealously 
into  the  scheme,  and  concurred  in  representing  the  great  body 
of  the  people  of  their  respective  states,  as  being  determinedly 
hostile  to  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution.  The  letters  of 
some  of  these  gentlemen  are  as  follows  : 

*  The  Federalist.  tldem. 

t  Papers  at  Albany  and  in  the  middle  district. 

§Lamb  papers,  N.  Y  His.  Soc.  ||  Idem.  f  Idem.  **  Idem, 
ft  Idem.  ft  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  307 

Richmond,  June  9,  1788. 
Sir: 

I  was  honored  by  the  rec't  of  your  favor  by  the  hands  of 
Col.  Oswald,  accompanying  three  pamphlets,  for  which,  and 
for  the  communication  resulting  from  a  view  of  the  whole 
subject  matter,  I  give  you,  sir,  my  sincere  thanks.  It  is  mat- 
ter of  great  consolation,  to  find  that  the  sentiments  of  a  vast 
majority  of  Virginians,  are  in  unison  with  those  of  our 
northern  friends.  I  am  satisfied  four-fifths  of  our  inhabitants 
are  opposed  to  the  new  scheme  of  government.  Indeed,  in 
the  part  of  this  country,  lying  south  of  James  River,  I  am 
confident,  nine-tenths  are  opposed  to  it.  And  yet,  strange  as 
it  may  seem,  the  numbers  in  convention  appear  equal  on 
both  sides:  so  that  the  majority,  which  way  soever  it  goes, 
will  be  small.  The  friends  and  seekers  of  power,  have,  with 
their  usual  subtility,  wriggled  themselves  into  the  choice  of 
the  people,  by  assuming  shapes  as  various  as  the  faces  of  the 
men  they  address  on  such  occasions. 

If  they  shall  carry  their  point,  and  preclude  previous 
amendments,  which  we  have  ready  to  offer,  it  will  become 
highly  necessary  to  form  the  society  you  mention.  Indeed 
it  appears  the  only  chance  for  securing  a  remnant  of  those 
invaluable  rights  which  are  yielded  by  the  new  plan.  Col. 
George  Mason  has  agreed  to  act  as  chairman  of  our  repub- 
lican society.  His  character  I  need  not  describe.  He  is 
everyway  fit;  and  we  have  concluded  to  send  you  by  Col.  Os- 
wald a  copy  of  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  of  the  particular 
amendments  we  intend  to  propose  in  our  convention.  The 
fate  of  them  is  altogether  uncertain,  but  of  that,  you  will  be 
informed.  To  assimilate  our  views  on  this  great  subject,  is 
of  the  last  moment;  and  our  opponents  expect  much  from 
our  dissension:  as  we  see  the  danger,  I  think  it  is  easily 
avoided. 

I  can  assure  you,  that  North  Carolina  is  more  decidedly 
opposed  to  the  new  government  than  Virginia.  The  people 
there  seem  rife  for  hazarding  all,  before  they  submit.  Per- 
haps the  organization  of  our  system,  may  be  so  contrived  as 
to  include  lesser  associations  dispersed  throughout  the  State. 
This  will  remedy  in  some  degree,  the  inconvenience  arising 
from  our  dispersed  situation.  Col.  Oswald's  short  stay  here, 
prevents  my  saying  as  much  on  the  subject  as  I  could  other- 
wise have  done.  And  after  assuring  you  of  my  ardent  wishes 
for  the  happiness  of  our  common  country,  and  the  best  inter- 


308  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

ests  of  humanity,  I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself  with  great 
respect  and  regard, 

Sir,  your  ob't  h'ble  serv., 

P.  Henry.* 
To  General  John  Lamb. 

Charleston,  21st  June,  1788. 
Sir: 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  favors  of  the  19th  May  last, 
received  a  few  days  ago,  enclosing  several  papers  relative  to 
the  new  Constitution:  also  two  packets,  the  one  for  Mr.  Jus- 
tice Burke,  which  I  have  delivered  with  mine  own  hands: 
the  other  for  General  Sumpter,  which  I  have  conveyed  by 
a  safe  opportunity,  as  he  resides  at  a  considerable  distance 
from  Charleston. 

You  will  have  known,  sir,  before  this  time,  that  our  Con- 
vention have  finally  ratified  and  confirmed  the  new  Federal * 
Constitution.     It  was  done  on  the  24th  May  last,  contenting 
itself  with  a  few  recommendatory  amendments. 

Had  your  plan  been  proposed  in  time,  I  doubt  not  it  might 
have  produced  very  good  effect  in  this  country.  A  strong 
systematic  opposition,  wherein  the  opinions  and  sentiments 
of  the  different  States  were  concentrated,  and  directed  to  the 
same  specific  objects,  would  have  had  a  weight,  which  the  ad- 
vocates for  the  Constitution  must  have  submitted  to;  and  have 
removed  the  force  of  an  objection,  strongly  insisted  upon, 
arising  from  the  diversity  and  dissimilarity  of  the  several 
amendments  contended  for. 

I  had  not  the  honor  to  be  of  our  Convention.  An  open 
and  explicit  avowal  of  my  sentiments  in  the  Assembly,  when 
the  subject  was  agitated  there,  which  were  irreconcilable  to 
the  Constitution,  as  well  in  mode  as  substance,  did  not  meet 
with  the  concurrence  and  approbation  of  my  constitutents  in 
Charleston,  and  I  was,  therefore,  rejected  in  their  choice  of 
delegates  for  the  Convention. 

I  am,  with  great  Respect  and  Regard, 
Sir, 
Your  Most  Obed't.  hum'l  Serv't, 
John  Lamb,  Esq.,  Raw's  Lowndes.| 

Chairman  Com'ee.,  New  York. 

*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  309 

Chantilly  in  Virginia,  June  27,  1788. 
Sir  : 

It  is  but  this  day  I  received  the  letter  that  you  did  me  the 
honor  to  write  to  me  on  the  18th  of  May  last.  Repeated 
experience  having  shown  me  that  I  could  not  be  at  Rich- 
mond and  be  in  health,  prevented  me  from  attempting  to  be 
a  member  of  our  State  Convention;  but  I  have  omitted  no 
occasion  of  enforcing,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  the  pro- 
priety of  so  stating  amendments  as  to  secure  their  adoption, 
as  you  will  see  by  the  letter  I  wrote  to  the  president  of  our 
Convention,  a  copy  of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to 
you.  I  lament  that  your  letter  did  not  reach  me  sooner,  be- 
cause I  think  your  plan  of  correspondence  would  have  pro- 
duced salutary  consequences;  as  it  seems  to  have  been  the 
idea  of  our  Assembly  when  they  sent  the  proposed  plan  to  a 
convention.  Every  attempt  has  failed,  either  to  get  pre- 
vious amendments  or  effectually  to  secure  the  obtaining  them 
hereafter.  Yet  you  will  see,  sir,  that  the  ratifying  majority 
feel  the  propriety  of  amendments;  altho',  in  my  judgment, 
the  mode  they  have  pursued,  for  obtaining  them,  is  neither 
wise  or  manly.  But  if  nothing  better  can  be  obtained  in 
the  states  that  have  not  yet  ratified,  even  this  mode  of  ex- 
pressing the  sense  of  the  approving  states  may  operate  to 
the  obtaining  amendments  hereafter,  as  well  as  to  prevent, 
in  the  exercise  of  power,  such  abuses  as  would,  in  all  proba- 
bility, take  place. 

It  will  be  considered,  I  believe,  as  a  most  extraordinary 
epoch  in  the  history  of  mankind,  that  in  a  few  years  there 
should  be  so  essential  a  change  in  the  minds  of  men.  'Tis 
really  astonishing  that  the  same  people,  who  have  just 
emerged  from  a  long  and  cruel  war  in  defence  of  liberty, 
should  now  agree  to  fix  an  elective  despotism  upon  them- 
selves and  their  posterity  !  It  is  true,  indeed,  for  the  honor 
of  human  nature,  that  there  has  not  been  a  general  acquies- 
cence. In  respectable  states,  there  have  been  formidable  mi- 
norities. In  this,  a  majority  of  ten  only,  out  of  near  two 
hundred  members,  neither  demonstrates  that  a  majority  of 
the  people  approve  the  plan;  nor  does  it  augur  well  for  the 
prosperity  of  the  new  government,  unless  the  wisdom  and 
goodness,  of  those  who  first  act  under  this  system,  shall  lead 
them  to  take  effectual  measures  for  introducing  the  requisite 
amendments.  And  this  I  hope,  for  the  honor  and  safety  of 
the  U.  States,  will  be  obtained  by  the  mediation  of  wise  and 
benevolent  men. 


310  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Accept  ray  thanks,  sir,  for  the  enclosures  in  your  letter, 
which  I  shall  read  with  great  pleasure. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 
Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
Gen.  John  Lamb,  Richard  Henry  Lee.* 

New  York. 

Baltimore,  13th  June,  1788. 
Dear  Sir  : 

I  returned  from  attending  our  General  Court  yesterday  af- 
ternoon, and  your  letter,  with  one  from  the  Federal  Repub- 
licans, and  several  enclosures,  were  delivered  only  a  few 
minutes  ago.  I  will  have  the  publications  reprinted.  I 
was  always  averse  from  the  adoption  of  the  proposed  Con- 
stitution, unless  certain  amendments,  to  declare  and  secure 
the  great  and  essential  rights  of  the  people,  could  be  pre- 
viously obtained;  because  I  thought,  if  they  could  not  be 
procured  before  the  ratification,  they,  very  probably,  could 
not  be  obtained  afterwards;  and  the  conduct  of  the  advocates 
of  the  government  confirm  my  opinion.  I  am  convinced 
that  the  principal  characters  who  support  the  government, 
will  not  agree  to  any  amendments.  A  declaration  of  rights 
alone  will  be  of  no  essential  service.  Some  of  the  powers 
must  be  abridged,  or  public  liberty  will  be  endangered,  and, 
in  time,  destroyed. 

I  have  no  hopes  that  any  attempts  will  be  made  to  obtain 
previous  alterations,  and  I  fear  any  attempt,  after  ratifica- 
tion, will  be  without  effect.  I  consider  the  Constitution  as 
radically  defective  in  this  essential;  the  bulk  of  the  people 
can  have  nothing  to  say  to  it.  The  government  is  not  a 
government  of  the  people.  It  is  not  a  government  of 
representation.  The  people  do  not  choose  the  House  of 
Representatives.  A  right  of  election  is  declared,  but  it  can 
not  be  exercised.  It  is  a  useless,  nugatory  right.  By  no 
mode  of  choice,  by  the  people  at  large,  or  in  districts,  can 
they  choose  representatives.  The  right  is  immediate  and 
given  to  all  the  people,  but  it  is  impracticable  to  be  exercised 
by  them. 

I  believe  a  very  great  majority  of  the  people  of  this  state 
are  in  favor  of  amendments,  but  they  are  depressed  and  in- 
active. They  have  lost  all  their  former  spirit  and  seem  ready 
to  submit  to  any  master.  Governor  Smallwood,  Mr.  Mercer, 
Mr.  J.  T.  Chase,  our  Attorney-General,  and  a  few  more,  are 

*Lainb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  311 

decided  against  the  government.  An  attempt  will  be  made 
to  elect  none  but  Federalists,  as  they  falsely  call  themselves, 
to  our  house  of  delegates.  A  violent  opposition  will  be 
made  to  them  in  this  town;  and  is  already  begun  on  the 
avowed  principle.     I  am  called  on  for  this. 

I  beg  to  be  remembered  to  all  the  Federal  Republicans 
with  you.  I  will  instantly  communicate  to  Governor  Small- 
wood. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 
With  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  obed't  serv't, 

Sam.  Chase.* 
Gen.  John  Lamb, 
New  York. 

Richmond,  June  9th,  1788. 
Dear  Sir  : 

I  received  your  letter  by  Col.  Oswald,  and  the  same  eve- 
ning, laid  it  before  the  Committee  of  Opposition  ;  they  had 
directed  their  Chairman  to  answer  it  by  Col.  Oswald.  Some 
of  our  proposed  amendments  are  finished  in  the  Committee; 
the  others  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  agreed  on. 

I  am  sorry  to  observe  to  you,  that  our  affairs  in  the  Con- 
vention, are  suspended  by  a  hair;  I  really  cannot  tell  you  on 
which  side  the  scale  will  turn;  the  difference,  I  am  satisfied 
on  the  main  question,  will  be  exceedingly  small  indeed.  The 
Governor  has  declared  in  favor  of  the  Constitution,  without 
amendments  before  adoption.  This,  however,  has  not  in- 
jured us;  neither  has  the  news  of  the  ratification  of  South 
Carolina.  The  opposition  upon  the  whole,  is  firm  and  united; 
there  are  seven  or  eight  dubious  characters,  whose  opinions 
are  not  known,  and  on  whose  decisions,  the  fate  of  this  im- 
portant question  will  ultimately  depend  :  should  all  of  them 
be  on  the  other  side,  it  will  make  a  majority  of  four  or  five 
against  us. 

You  will  be  pleased  to  consider  this,  in  the  light  of  a  pri- 
vate letter;  at  all  events,  so  far  as  to  prevent  my  being 
quoted  in  the  public  newspapers.  I  will  do  myself  the  plea- 
sure of  giving  you  the  earliest  notice  of  the  final  decision  of 
this  Assembly.  Should  we  be  strong  enough  to  command  the 
question,  I  think  it  will  be  highly  expedient  for  the  Conven- 


*  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


312  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

tion  to  open  a  correspondence  with  yours;  these  however, 
are  my  sentiments;  not  knowing  how  others  will  think  on 
the  occasion. 

I  remain  with  great  respect, 

Your  Most  Obed't  Serv't, 

Will'm  Grayson.* 
To  the  Hon'ble 
Brig.-Gen'l  Lamb, 

New  York. 

Amherst,  June  11,  1788. 
Gentlemen  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  recognize  the  reception  of  your  very 
great  favor,  which  came  to  hand  yesterday.  Long  anxiously 
desirous  of  the  communication  proposed,  I  shall  leave  noth- 
ing unattempted  in  my  power,  to  effect  a  unanimity  of  sen- 
timent with  respect  to  amendments.  I  cannot  persuade  my- 
self however,  that  the  method  adopted  by  the  Convention  of 
Massachusetts,  is  by  any  means  eligible  :  to  ratify,  and  then 
propose  amendments,  is  to  surrender  our  all,  and  then  to  ask 
our  new  masters,  if  they  will  be  so  gracious  as  to  return  to 
us  some,  or  any  part  of  our  most  important  rights  and  privi- 
leges. Can  this  be  the  part  of  wisdom  or  good  policy?  I 
have  the  honor,  Gentlemen,  perfectly  to  coincide  with  you 
in  sentiment,  that  the  amendments  should  be  procured,  pre- 
vious to  the  adoption  of  the  new  system,  and  all  local  ad- 
vantages, rejected  as  unworthy  the  attention  of  those,  who 
are  contending  for  the  general  liberty. 

There  has  hitherto  been  a  fair  majority  in  the  Convention 
of  New  Hampshire,  as  far  as  their  sentiments  could  be  col- 
lected (for  the  decisive  question  has  not  been  put)  against 
ratifying  the  proposed  Constitution  in  its  present  form;  this 
the  candid  consolidarians  confess;  but  I  need  not  inform  you, 
how  many  arts  are  made  use  of  to  increase  their  party.  The 
presses  are  in  a  great  measure,  secured  to  their  side;  inevi- 
table ruin  is  held  up,  on  non-compliance;  while  the  new 
system  is  fraught  with  every  species  of  happiness.  The  op- 
ponents are  enemies  to  their  country,  and  they  often  make 
them  say  what  they  never  thought. 

In  the  Exeter  Advertiser,  (New  Hampshire),  they  had  the 
disingenuity  to  say,  that  "  Mr.  Atherton,  seemed  to  give  up 
the  idea  of  all  cases  between  citizens  of  different  states,  ori- 


*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  313 

ginating  in  the  federal  courts,  &c.,  &c."  Nothing  can  be 
the  more  reverse  of  truth  than  this  assertion.  Their  views 
are  obvious;  but  I  will  not  trouble  you  with  particulars.  I 
flatter  myself  some  future  publications  will  brush  off  the  mask 
of  falsehood.  Permit  me  to  hope  you  will  lead  the  way,  and 
delineate  the  method  of  a  correspondence  between  the  states, 
who  have  not  yet  resigned  their  lives,  liberties,  and  proper- 
ties, into  the  hands  of  this  new  and  unlimited  sovereignty. 
Your  central  situation,  and  your  great  importance  as  a  state, 
gives  us  a  right  to  expect  it  of  you:  While  nothing  shall 
be  wanting  here,  to  second  such  a  desirable  event;  nor  in- 
deed shall  any  part  of  your  public  spirited,  and  benevolent 
proposals,  wTant  the  attention  they  so  highly  merit. 

No  amendments  being  yet  fixed  on  here,  or  even  attempted, 
that  subject  must  be  left  for  future  consideration.  Could  our 
convention  receive  your  resolution  not  to  adopt  without  the 
necessary  amendments,  before  they  have  proceeded  too  far, 
together  with  your  amendments;  I  have  not  the  least  doubt 
but  a  great  majority  would  immediately  close  with  your 
views  and  wishes.  The  Convention  of  this  state,  sits  next 
Wednesday  at  Concord,  by  adjournment  :  on  the  conclusion 
of  which  session,  I  will  cause  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Anti- 
Federal  Committee  of  the  county  of  Albany,  the  result  of 
our  deliberations,  who  will  be  good  enough  to  forward  them 
to  you.     The  subject  of  amendments  shall  not  be  forgot. 

June  14th. — I  yesterday  received  the  supplement  to  the 
Albany  Journal,  of  the  tenth  instant,  by  which  it  appears 
you  will  have  a  majority  of  two  to  one,  at  least,  against 
adoption.  I  congratulate  you  on  so  fortunate  an  event,  and 
have  the  highest  confidence  that  the  power  and  opportunity, 
thus  put  into  your  hands  to  save  our  devoted  country  from 
impending  ruin,  will  be  exercised  with  firmness,  integrity, 
and  wisdom. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  with  great  esteem  and  respect, 
Your  most  humble  &  most  ob't  serv't, 

Joshua  Atherton.* 

John  Lamb,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  the  Federal  Republican  Committee. 

The  best  arguments  against  the  adoption  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, were  put  forward  by  this  association,  to  induce  an  ac- 
quiescence with  their  views,  f      But   public  opinion  was 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  f  Papers  of  the  day. 

40 


314  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

forestalled.  The  overwhelming  efforts  of  its  friends,  and  the 
masterly  productions  which  emanated  from  the  pens  of  the 
triumviri,  who  stood  forth  as  the  champions  of  adoption, 
compelled  its  adversaries  to  change  their  ground.*  The 
Conventions  of  several  states  had  approved  the  Constitution; 
South  Carolina  among  the  first;f  and  upon  the  meeting  of 
that  of  Virginia,  the  parties  were  found  so  nearly  balanced, 
that  the  idea  of  rejection  was  abandoned,  and  the  views  of 
the  opposition  were  confined  to  acceptance,  with  preliminary 
amendments,  and  a  declaratory  bill  of  rights. J 

At  the  election  for  members  of  the  Legislature  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  for  1787,  the  Hamilton  ticket  was  chosen,  by 
a  very  large  majority.§  The  prospect  of  this  had  become  so 
evident,  that  Col.  Burr,  whose  name  had  been  put  forth  as 
one  of  the  candidates  of  the  opposition,  (and  also  for  dele- 
gate to  the  Convention,  should  the  Legislature  decide  upon 
calling  one),  withdrew  his  name  from  the  canvass.||  A  very 
close  vote  determined  the  question  of  the  Convention ;U  and 
at  the  election  for  delegates,  the  array  of  the  Clinton  party 
were  put  in  nomination.  Gov.  Clinton  headed  the  ticket, 
and  among  others,  John  Lamb,  Marinus  "Willet,  and  Me- 
lancthon  Smith,  were  nominated  with  him.**  But  as  the  elec- 
tion approached,  the  certainty  of  defeat  become  so  apparent, 
that  the  friends  of  Gov.  Clinton,  in  Ulster,  placed  him  in  no- 
mination from  that  county,  while  to  secure  the  able  services 
of  Mr.  Smith,  he  was  nominated,  and  elected  in  Dutchess.ff 

As  wras  anticipated,  a  most  triumphant  majority  carried 
Hamilton,  and  his  powerful,  and  talented  colleagues,  John  Jay 
and  others,  as  representatives  from  this  city  ;J|  still,  upon  the 
assembling  of  the  Convention  at  Poughkeepsie,  the  Anti-Fede- 
ralists, for  they  had  been  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  name 

*The  Federalist.  t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y,  His.  Soc.  }  Idem. 

§  Loudon's  paper  ||  Idem. 
^f  Assembly  journals 
**  Papers  of  the  day.  ft  Idem.  tt  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  315 

there,  had  a  large  majority;*  and  sanguine  of  support  from 
New  Hampshire,  and  Virginia,  they  commenced  their  deliber- 
ations. The  following  letter  from  Gov.  Clinton,  will  exhibit, 
with  what  hopes,  and  expectations  : 

Poughkeepsie,  21  June,  1788. 
Dear  Sir  : 

The  communications  from  Virginia,  which  you  transmitted 
by  Capt.  Tillinghast,  have  been  communicated  to  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  gentlemen  opposed  to  the  adoption  of  the  new 
Constitution,  without  previous  amendments;  who  have  re- 
quested me  to  present  their  thanks  to  you  for  your  unwearied 
attention  to  our  common  cause,  for  which,  you  will  also  be 
pleased  to  accept  of  mine.  It  gives  me  and  them  sensible 
pleasure  to  learn,  that  the  friends  to  the  liberties  of  our  coun- 
try to  the  southward,  are  equally  anxious,  with  those  who 
are  not  ashamed  of  that  unfashionable  name  here. 

The  friends  to  the  rights  of  mankind,  outnumber  the  advo- 
cates of  despotism,  nearly  two  to  one.  Yesterday,  the  debates 
began  on  the  third  clause,  respecting  representation.  The 
most  that  has  been  said  by  the  new  government  men,  has 
been  a  second  edition  of  Publius,  well  delivered.  One  of  the 
New  York  Delegates,  has  in  substance,  tho'  not  explicitly, 
thrown  off  the  mask.  His  arguments,  tending  to  show  the 
necessity  of  a  consolidated,  continental,  to  the  exclusion  of 
any  state  government.  This,  however,  he  has  recalled  to- 
day, finding  it  would  do  their  cause  injury.  The  republican 
members  of  the  Convention  have  appointed  a  special  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence,  with  the  neighboring  Conventions, 
&c,  of  which  the  Honorable  Judge  Yates,  is  Chairman. 

You  will  receive  enclosed,  and  left  open  for  your  perusal, 
a  letter  from  the  Committee,  to  Col.  Mason,  Chairman  of 
the  Virginia  Committee,  which  is  entrusted  to  your  forward- 
ing, with  whatever  communications  you,  and  our  other 
friends  in  New  York,  may  think  proper  to  make  to  that  quar- 
ter, by  such  safe,  and  expeditious  mode  of  conveyance,  as 
you  may  think  expedient.  The  letter  to  Col.  Mason,  you  will 
observe,  is  put  under  cover  to  Mr.  George  Fleming,  merchant 
in  Richmond,  as  advised  in  Mr.  Mason's  letter. 

The  Committee  have  desired  me  to  offer  you  their  thanks, 
for  your  care,  and  attention,  in  forwarding  the  information 


*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


316  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

from  Virginia,  and  request  a  continuance  of  the  favor,  when 
any  thing  new,  and  important  reaches  you. 

With  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Lamb,  and  your  good  family, 
I  am,  Dr  Sir, 

Your  Most  Obed't  Servant, 

Geo.  Clinton,* 
Hon'ble  John  Lamb, 

New  York. 

The  reliance  of  the  opposition  upon  New  Hampshire,  proved 
fallacious;  but  the  knowledge  of  the  ratification  by  that  state, 
reaching  the  Convention,  it  produced  but  little  effect,  f 
Equally  groundless  were  their  expectations  from  Virginia, 
and  the  failure  of  their  hopes  from  that  quarter,  was  more 
sensibly  felt;  still  they  were  resolute  in  contending  for  pre- 
liminary amendments,!  as  will  appear  by  the  following  letter: 

Poughkeepsie,  12th  July,  1788. 
D'r  Sir  : 

The  business  of  the  convention  is  now  wound  up  to  a  crisis. 
3  different  species  of  amendments  were  proposed  yesterday 
by  Mr.  Lansing:  they  were  the  result  of"  a  spirit  of  amity 
and  mutual  concession,"  even  in  the  party  that  brought  them 
forward.  Some  of  the  members  were  for  making  the  ratifi- 
cation of  certain  amend'ts  absolute  conditions  of  adoption. 
However,  several  considerations  induced  the  mode  I  am  now 
going  to  describe. 

The  amendments  are  :  1,  explanatory;  2,  conditional;  3, 
recommendatory. 

The  first  contain  a  bill  of  rights,  and  an  explication  of 
some  important  parts  of  the  Constitution,  which  were  either 
equivocal,  or  too  latitudinal.  For  instance,  the  clause  pro- 
hibiting the  passing  of  expost  facto  laws,  is  thus  explained, 
or  rather  restrained— provided  that  this  clause  shall  not  be 
so  construed  as  to  screen  public  defaulters.  The  conditional, 
prohibit  the  operation  of  the  Constitution  in  this  State  as  to 
direct  taxation,  without  making  a  previous  requisition. 
(Vide  Mass.  amend'ts.)  As  to  the  regulation  of  elections, 
unless  in  cases  of  neglect,  inability,  or  refusal,  &c,  until  a  new 
general  convention  is  called.     The  recommendatory  are  nu- 

*Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  fldem,  and  Loudon's  paper. 

t  Debates  in  Convention,  Loudon's  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  317 

merous  and  important.  This  proposal  was  altercated  yesterday 
by  Jay,  the  Chancellor,  and  Judge  Morris;  and  defended  by 
Smith,  the  Governor,  and  Lansing.  The  first  insist,  that 
Congress  can  never  receive  us  into  the  Union  in  this  manner. 
I  have  no  doubt,  however,  but  what  they  will;  and  then  our 
Represent's  in  Congress,  can  be  of  service  in  calling  another 
convention. 

I  expect  the  convention  will  break  up  in  a  few  days.  The 
proposal  I  mentioned,  is  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  anti  concession. 
Many  indeed  think  they  had  conceded  too  much.  If  the  fed's 
had  been  friendly,  instead  of  being  inimical  to  the  proposal, 
I  have  my  doubts  whether  a  majority  of  anti's  would  not 
have  voted  against  it.  But  the  opposition  of  their  political 
adversaries  has  reconciled  them. 

I  received  your  letter.  I  thank  you  for  it.  My  compli- 
ments to  the  General  and  his  family. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem, 

Your  most  obed.  serv't, 

MAJ.    CHA.S.    TlLLlNGHAST.  De  WlTT  CLINTON.* 

P.  S.  M.  Smith  made  a  very  long  and  masterly  speech  in 
favor  of  the  proposal  this  day :  he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Lansing. 
Mr.  Hamilton  spoke  against  it  in  strong  terms.  I  have  been 
informed  that  the  quarrel  between  the  anti's  and  fed's  at  Al- 
bany has  not  entirely  subsided:  that  the  latter  persevere  in 
firing  10  cannon,  and  that  the  country  people  are  much  en- 
raged at  it. 

My  best  respects  to  Mr.  Hughes.  I  will  write  again  as 
soon  as  possible.  I  have  no  fear  that  the  anti's  will  [not] 
keep  together  now.  They  have  not  long  ago  been  in  a  situa- 
tion that  I  will  not  mention  until  I  see  you.  I  have  seen 
some  extracts  of  letters,  and  other  statements  in  some  of  the 
New  York  fed'l  papers  that  are  not  true.  To  use  an  expres- 
sion of  Hume,  a  man  of  sense  will  lend  a  very  academic 
faith  to  them,  and  others  similar. 

Melancthon  Smith  from  the  south,  and  the  late  Chancellor 
Lansing  from  the  north,  together  with  Gov.  Clinton,  were 
the  champions  of  the  majority,  and  debated  the  ground  step 
by  step,  in  opposition  to  the  great  orators  of  the  opposite 
party;  whose  matchless  efforts  in  argument,  and  persuasive 
influence  over  the  members  in  private,  began  to  gain  many 

*  Tillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


318  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

to  their  support.*  Yet  it  appeared  that  they  were  without 
hope  of  carrying  the  desired  vote;  and  a  motion  was  made 
16th  July,  by  them,  to  adjourn  the  convention  to  the  2d  Sep- 
tember.! This  was  defeated  by  a  very  decisive  majority, 
and  action  was  forced  upon  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Smith, 
amended  by  Mr.  Lansing,  for  preliminary  amendments.^ 

At  the  debate  on  this  motion,  the  overpowering  eloquence 
of  Col.  Hamilton  was  exerted  to  its  utmost  pitch,  and  shook 
the  most  resolved  of  the  majority.^  Even  the  mover  of  the 
propositions  was  convinced,  notwithstanding  the  inflexibility 
which  he  had  hitherto  maintained;  and  in  expressing  his 
conviction,  he  withdrew  his  propositions^  These  were  im- 
mediately renewed  by  Mr.  Lansing,  and  the  next  day,  the 
23d,  on  the  final  question,  Mr.  Smith  voted  against  the  reso- 
lutions which  he  had  himself  ofTered.TI  Still  unwilling  to 
yield,  Mr.  Lansing,  from  the  opposition,  proposed  to  accept 
the  Constitution  on  condition  of  future  amendments.**  This 
was  altered  at  the  suggestion  of  Samuel  Jones,  his  quondam 
coadjutor,  into  an  expression  of  "  full  confidence"  that  such 
amendments  would  be  made,ff  and  the  Constitution  was 
adopted  by  a  majority  of  three  voices.JJ 

The  extraordinary  propositions  put  forth  by  the  most  ultra 
of  the  consolidationists,  had  excited  the  alarm  and  jealousy 
of  the  state-rights  republicans;  and  although  the  constitu- 
tion, as  adopted,  contained  powers  deemed  dangerous,  no 
American,  at  this  day,  can  doubt  the  wisdom  and  patriotism 
of  the  majority  of  the  convention  of  1787;  nor  fail  to  con- 
gratulate himself  that  even  the  errors  committed  by  them 
were  of  a  salutary  tendency.  Many  honestly  believed  the 
scheme  of  a  federative  republic  to  be  visionary  and  hopeless. 
The  perfect  consolidationists  approached  as  near  to  their 
plan  of  an  energetic  government  as  the  nature  of  the  case 
would  admit  of;  and  by  grasping  at  more  power  than  strict- 
ly belonged  to  a  confederation,  they  aroused    the  apprehen- 

*  Loudon's  paper  and  Greenleafs  paper,     t  Idem,     t  Idem.     $  Idem. 
i!  Idem.         f  Idem.         **  Idem.         ft  Idem.         $t  Idem. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  LAMB.  319 

sions  of  the  great  body  of  the  people,  and  arrayed  against 
their  system  some  of  the  most  patriotic  and  talented  men  of 
the  nation.  It  is  fortunate  that  the  constitution,  as  formed, 
contained  more  than  was  necessary  for  the  establishment  of 
a  stable  government:  for  it  is  easier  to  concede  to  the  people 
than  to  induce  them  to  yield  a  portion  of  their  power.  Had 
the  state  rights  party  succeeded,  their  system  would,  pro- 
bably, have  been  found  too  feeble  for  the  general  prosperity 
and  safety  of  the  republic;  to  remedy  this,  by  imparting 
more  strength  to  the  national  arm,  would  not  have  been 
practicable;  and  intestine  quarrels,  and  local  jealousies, 
would  have  produced  a  dismemberment  of  the  Union. 

The  majority  of  the  Convention  and  their  friends,  in  the 
flush  of  victory,  were  compelled,  by  the  formidable  array 
against  them,  to  pause,  and  to  surrender  a  portion  of  their 
power;  while  all  that  was  asked  by  the  opposition  was  not 
granted.  Mutual  concessions  became  necessary,  and  the 
consequent  compromises,  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the 
great  desideratum  sought  for:  an  efficient  and  well  balanced 
Constitution 

As  much  was  done  towards  achieving  this  great  eiA,  by 
the  exorbitant  claims  of  the  consolidationists,  as  by  the  stern 
resistance  of  the  leaders  of  the  opposite  party.  Without 
New  York,  the  confederacy  would  have  been  feeble  and  in- 
efficient; and  the  adhesion  of  this  state  to  the  new  govern- 
ment was  of  vital  importance.  This  was  effected  by  the 
decision  of  a  single  individual.  But  for  the  daring  energy 
of  that  delegate,  who  assumed  the  responsibility  of  exercising 
powers  denied  by  his  more  prudent  colleagues,  and  which  a 
vast  majority  of  his  constituents  utterly  repudiated,  we  might 
never  have  obtained  the  great  blessing  of  a  powerful,  yet  free 
government.  And  had  it  not  been  for  the  efforts  of  the 
great  patriots  of  the  Union,  and  the  firmness  of  their  deter- 
mination to  counterpoise  the  preponderance  of  the  national 
power,  a  system  might  have  been  fastened  upon  us,  which 


320  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

could  not  have  been  shaken  off,  but  by  a  sanguinary  revo- 
lution. 

The  triumph  of  the  constitutionalists  was  complete.  The 
opposition  addressed  a  circular  letter  to  the  states,  explana- 
tory of  the  reasons  which  had  influenced  them  to  yield  to 
the  adoption;*  and  the  Convention  issued  another,!  recom- 
mending a  general  convocation  to  devise  the  requisite 
amendments,  and  engraft  a  bill  of  rights  upon  the  new  com- 
pact. To  carry  this  scheme  into  effect,  the  association  in  the 
city  and  the  vicinity,  who  had  so  strenously  battled  for  pre- 
vious amendments,  again  organized,  still  under  the  designa- 
tion of  "  Federal  Republicans."!  And  these  are  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  meeting  * 

"  The  following  gentlemen,  viz  : 

marinus  wlllett,  solomon  townsend, 

Melancthon  Smith,  Nathaniel  Lawrence, 

David  Gelston,  James  M.  Hughes, 

John  Lamb,  Samuel  Jones, 

Ezekiel  Robins,  Charles  Tillinghast, 

Having  met  at  Fraunce's  Tavern,  on  Tuesday  evening,  Oct. 
30,  1788,  after  some  deliberation,  determined  to  form  them- 
selves into  a  society  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  general 
convention,  agreeable  to  the  circular  letter  of  the  late  Con- 
vention of  this  state;  and  thereupon  elected  Col.  Willett  to 
be  their  chairman,  and  Charles  Tillinghast  secretary. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  seconded  by  Gen.  Lamb, 
it  was  determined  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
open  a  correspondence  with  certain  persons  in  the  several 
states,  (as  well  as  counties  within  this  state,)  for  the  purpose 
of  explaining  the  reasons  which  induced  the  adoption  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  by  the  late  Convention  of 
this  state,  and  requesting  their  assistance  to  procure  the  re- 
quisite amendments,  by  having  a  General  Convention  called 

*  Tillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  t  Idem.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  LAMB.  321 

immediately,  or  as  soon  as  possible,  after  the  organization  of 
the  new  government. 

"  The  committee  appointed,  were  Melancthon  Smith, 
Esq.,  Gen.  Lamb,  and  Jas.  M.  Hughes,  Esq.,  who  are  to 
draught  the  requisite  letters,  and  report  the  same  as  early  as 
possible. 

"  It  was  determined  that  a  meeting  of  the  society  should 
be  again  held  on  Tuesday  evening,  Nov.  4,  at  six  o'clock, 
and  at  the  same  place. 

Chas.  Tillinghast,  Sec'y* 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  society,  agreeable  to  adjournment, 
the  following  gentlemen  attended  at  Fraunce's  Tavern,  Nov. 
4,  viz  : 

John  Lamb,  David  Gelston, 

Melancthon  Smith,  Chas.  Tillinghast, 

James  M.  Hughes. 
"  The  chairman  of  the  society  being  absent,  Gen.  Lamb 
was  called  to  the  chair  for  this  meeting:. 

"  The  committee,  who  were  appointed  to  draught  letters 
to  the  several  states,  and  counties  within  this  state,  produced 
draughts  thereof,  which  having  been  read  by  paragraphs,  and 
amended,  are  as  follows,  viz: 

To  the  counties  within  this  State  : 

New  York,  November  4,  1788.f 
Gentlemen  : 

The  circumstances  and  situation  of  things  both  before,  and 
some  time  after  our  convention  had  met,  warranted  an  uni- 
versal opinion  among  all  Federal  Republicans,  that  it  was 
proper  to  adopt  the  new  constitution  only  on  condition 
that  those  important  alterations  which  were  considered  neces- 
sary to  the  protection  of  political  and  civil  liberty,  should  be 
made:  and  this  was  founded  not  only  on  the  defects  of  the 
Constitution,  but  on  the  anticipation  that  there  would  have 
been^  majority  in  several  of  the  State  conventions  of  the 
same  sentiments  with  our  own;  from  whom  we  should  have 
derived  support.  But  in  pursuing  our  opposition  in  this 
form,  the  sentiments  and  opinions  of  many  in  our  Convention 

t  Tillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc  f  Idem. 

41 


322  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

were  changed;  not,  as  we  have  reason  to  believe  as  to  the 
principles  of  opposition,  but  as  to  the  expediency  of  adopting 
under  an  alteration  of  circumstances,  so  that  this  State  shall 
continue  in  the  Union.  At  the  same  time,  giving  such  con- 
structions to  some  of  its  articles,  and  relying  on  the  sentiments 
of  a  majority  in  the  United  States,  with  respect  to  an  opinion 
of  its  defects,  that  the  government  would  be  restrained  in 
the  exercise  of  its  most  offensive  and  dangerous  powers,  un- 
til a  new  convention  should  have  an  opportunity  of  reconsider- 
ing and  revising  it,  before  it  should  have  its  full  operation. 

This  alteration  of  sentiment  with  respect  to  a  conditional 
adoption,  and  the  mode  of  adopting  it  in  its  present  manner, 
it  is  to  be  presumed,  was  caused  by  the  reception  of  it  by 
nine  States  successively;  by  which  the  government  was  ca- 
pable to  be  put  in  operation;  and  likewise  [by]  the  imme- 
diate and  subsequent  adoption  of  it  by  Virginia,  perhaps  one 
of  the  most  influential  and  important  States  in  the  Union. 
The  confidence  of  those  who  were  of  these  sentiments  was  ex- 
cited, because  many  of  the  most  important  States,  had  ac- 
knowledged it  by  small  majorities;  and  almost  all,  in  such 
a  way  as  was  expressive  of  its  defects:  and  hence  they  con- 
sidered amendments  as  certain;  subsequent  as  precedent. 

Thus  unsupported  by  any  of  the  States  in  the  prospect  of 
a  conditional  adoption,  and  for  these  reasons,  it  became  a 
political  calculation  with  them,  whether  it  was  not  most  for 
the  interests  of  this  State,  under  all  circumstances,  to  con- 
tinue in  the  Union,  and  trust,  for  the  reasons  aforesaid,  for 
amendments.  Unhappily,  this  occasioned  a  diversity  of 
opinion  among  our  friends  in  the  convention,  who  were  for 
a  conditional  adoption  only.  However,  the  question,  as  you 
well  know,  wras  at  last  carried  in  the  way  it  now  stands. 
Altho'  a  division  took  place,  both  within  and  without  the 
convention  on  this  point,  and  for  these  reasons,  yet  wTe  hope 
that  a  confidence  remains  on  the  minds  of  all,  that  each  was 
governed  by  the  principles  of  rectitude;  and  that  the  efforts 
and  exertions  of  each  other  collectively,  as  well  as  individu- 
ally, will  be  considered  a  duty  in  future;  and  made  use  of  to 
obtain  the  great  objects  we  have  all  had,  and  still  have  in 
view,  to  wit:  the  requisite  amendments;  by  having  a  gene- 
ral convention  called  immediately,  or  as  soon  as  possible 
after  the  organization  of  the  newT  government. 

With  this  design,  we  conceive  it  will  be  very  necessary 
to  advert  to  the  ensuing  election  of  members  to  represent 
this  State  in  the  assembly  of  the  general  government;  and 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  323 

to  endeavor  to  elect  such  characters  as  are  in  sentiment  with 
us  on  the  subject  of  amendments.  Nor  is  the  mode  of  elec- 
tion a  matter  of  small  importance,  when  it  is  considered  that 
one  mode  may  throw  the  balance  in  the  hands  of  the  advo- 
cates of  an  arbitrary  government,  while  another  may  be  favor- 
able to  equal  liberty.  The  activity  and  duplicity  of  the  prin- 
cipal of  those  who  have  contended  for  unequivocal  adoption, 
and  uncontrouled  exercise  of  the  new  Constitution,  notwith- 
standing their  promises  to  assist  in  procuring  a  convention 
for  the  purposes  already  mentioned,  have  given  us  just  causes 
of  suspicion,  that  those  promises  were  made  with  a  view  to 
deceive. 

To  facilitate  a  communication  of  sentiment  and  free  dis- 
cussion on  this  subject,  with  you  and  our  friends  in  the  other 
counties,  and  thereby  further  the  great  objects  of  our  pursuit, 
and  oppose  with  success  the  subtle  practices  of  the  adversa- 
ries of  constitutional  liberty,  we  have  formed  ourselves  into 
a  society  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  general  convention, 
agreeable  to  the  circular  letter  of  the  late  convention  of  this 
Sate;  and  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your  consideration 
the  propriety  of  your  joining  together  without  delay  for  the 
like  design. 

We  have  only  to  add,  that  whatever  diversity  of  sentiment 
may  have  taken  place  among  the  friends  of  equal  liberty  in 
our  late  convention,  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  they  will 
unite  their  utmost  exertions  in  the  only  mode  which  is  now 
left.  And  should  the  present  opportunity  which  is  offered 
at  the  organization  of  the  government,  not  be  properly  im- 
proved, it  is  highly  probable  such  a  favorable  one  will  not 
be  again  presented;  and  the  liberties  of  the  people  will  then 
depend  on  the  arbitrary  decrees  of  their  rulers. 

In  behalf  of  the  Society,  &c. 

To  Republican  Committee  of  Ulster  county.* 

To  the  several  States  : 

New  York,  Nov.  4,  1788. 
Previous  to  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution,  a  com- 
mittee was  formed  in  this  place,  of  those  who  disapproved 
of  it  without  essential  amendments,  to  open  a  correspondence 
with  those  of  the  sister  States,  who  concurred  with  them  in 
sentiment;  to  invite  them  to  open  a  communication  with  us 
and  concert  an  union  of  measures.  From  the  characters 
of  a  large  majority  of  those  who  composed  our  convention,  we 

*  Tillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


324  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

had  reason  to  expect,  they  would  not  have  adopted  the  con- 
stitution without  stipulating  for  such  previous  amendments: 
and  of  this  we  advised  our  friends.  Their  proceedings,  contain- 
ing the  amendments  proposed,  which  we  do  ourselves  the  honor 
to  inclose  you,  will  justify  this  sentiment.  A  small  majority, 
however,  was  found  who  were  induced  from  ideas  of  political 
expediency,  to  assent  to  a  qualified  adoption,  in  such  manner 
as  would  admit  this  State  into  a  participation  of  the  govern- 
ment. It  is  not  necessary  to  detail  the  reasons  at  large;  nor 
whether  they  were  well  grounded,  that  influenced  this  mea- 
sure.    They  may  be  briefly  comprized  in  the  following: 

A  sufficient  number  of  states  had  acceded  to  the  govern- 
ment, to  authorize  its  going  into  operation;  this  being  the 
case,  it  seems  it  was  apprehended  that  the  states  who  had 
adopted  could  not  easily  be  prevailed  upon  to  concur  in  any 
other  mode  to  effect  the  requisite  alterations,  but  the  one 
pointed  out  in  the  Constitution  itself.  That  if  this  state  re- 
mained out  of  the  Union,  they  might  lose  the  opportunity 
of  employing  their  influence  in  bringing  them  about.  And 
from  the  dissatisfaction  manifested  by  many  of  the  states  to 
the  system  as  it  stands;  and  from  the  spirit  of  accommoda- 
tion, which  it  was  hoped  would  prevail  among  those  who 
approved  of  it;  they  were  induced  to  believe  that  a  general 
agreement  would  take  place  to  call  another  Convention  to 
consider,  and  recommend  amendments  to  the  objectionable 
parts.  Though  these  and  similar  reasons,  we  believe  in- 
fluenced a  majority  to  accede  to  the  system,  with  certain 
declarations  and  explanations;  yet  even  this,  could  not  be 
obtained  without  an  express  declaration  of  their  disapproba- 
tion of  it;  and  agreeing  to  a  circular  letter,  inviting  the 
other  states,  to  unite  with  ours  in  requiring  a  convention. 
In  this  both  parties  concurred  unanimously. 

We  can  with  confidence  assure  you,  that  the  opposition 
to  the  Constitution  without  amendments,  has  not  decreased; 
but  on  the  contrary,  many  of  those  who  were  zealous  for  its 
adoption,  declare  they  will  unite  their  efforts  in  endeavoring 
to  have  it  reconsidered.  But  we  have  reason  at  the  same 
time,  to  believe  many  of  its  most  ardent  advocates  will  use 
their  influence  and  address,  to  prevent  this.  It  is  there- 
fore the  more  necessary  that  the  friends  of  equal  republican 
government,  should  firmly  unite  in  pursuing  such  measures, 
as  will  have  a  tendency  to  effect  amendments.  For  this  pur- 
pose, a  number  of  gentlemen  in  this  city,  influenced  by  a 
sincere  regard  for  constitutional  liberty  and  the  public  good, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  325 

have  associated  under  the  name  of  a  society  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring:  a  General  Convention,  agreeable  to  the  circu- 
lar letter  of  the  late  convention  of  this  state;  and  have  opened 
a  correspondence  with  the  several  states;  and  with  different 
parts  of  this  state.  Notwithstanding  so  large  a  part  of  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  appear  to  be  in  sentiment,  that 
it  is  necessary  the  constitution  should  be  altered;  in  order  to 
render  the  people  happy,  and  their  liberties  secure  under  it; 
yet  it  is  now  evident  these  alterations  will  not  be  obtained 
without  great  exertions  and  pains  to  awaken  the  people  to 
their  interests  and  safety.  Associations  of  the  well  informed 
and  patriotic  gentlemen  in  the  different  parts  of  the  country, 
we  apprehend  will  have  the  most  salutary  influence  to  effect 
so  desirable  an  event;  we  therefore  earnestly  invite  you  to  set 
this  on  foot,  and  to  open  a  correspondence  with  us. 

We  have  only  to  add  that  whatever  diversity  of  sentiment 
may  have  taken  place  among  the  friends  of  equal  liberty  in 
our  late  convention  wTe  are  fully  persuaded  that  they  will 
unite  their  utmost  exertions  to  procure  the  amendments  in 
the  only  mode  that  is  now  left.  And  should  the  opportunity, 
which  is  now  offered  at  the  organization  of  the  govern- 
ment, not  be  properly  improved,  it  is  highly  probable  such 
a  favorable  one,  will  not  be  again  presented;  and  the  liber- 
ties of  the  people  will  then  depend  on  the  arbitrary  decrees 
of  their  rulers. 

In  behalf,  &c. 

To 

It  was  then  determined  that  fair  transcripts  should  be  made, 
then  signed  by  the  chairman,  and  transmitted  to  the  proper 
persons  as  early  as  possible. 

The  meeting  was  then  adjourned  to  Thursday  evening 
next,  Nov.  13,  and  then  to  meet  at  the  usual  time  and 
place.* 

Fraunce's  Tavern,  Thursday 
Evening,  Nov.  13,  1788. 

A  sufficient  number  for  business  not  having  met,  the  gen- 
tlemen who  assembled  immediately  adjourned,  to  meet  when- 
ever called  upon  by  the  chairman. 

The  special  call  of  the  Legislature  by  Governor  Clinton 
superseded  the  labors  of  the  committee  in  relation  to  the 
calling  of  a  new  convention,  but  before  they  separated  they 
opened  a  correspondence  in  relation   to  the  candidate  for 

*  Tillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


326  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  Vice  Presidency  to  be  elected  with  Washington;  and 
transmitted  a  circular  letter  to  the  several  states  of  which, 
the  following  is  a  copy: 

Sir: 

The  Federal  Republicans  in  this  state,  are  of  opinion  that 
it  is  of  great  importance  in  the  election  of  Vice  President, 
that  the  choice  fall  upon  a  person  who  will  be  zealously  en- 
gaged in  promoting  such  amendments  to  the  new  Constitu- 
tion as  will  render  the  liberties  of  the  country  secure  under 
it 

For  this  purpose  they  have  consulted  some  gentlemen  in 
Virginia,  who  are  united  in  sentiment  with  us,  and  are  in- 
formed that  they  have  it  in  view  in  that  state,  to  vote  for 
Gov.  Clinton  of  this  state,  for  that  office.  We  have  reason 
to  believe  that  the  Electors  of  this  state  will  generally  give 
their  votes  in  his  favor.* 

It  is  highly  probable,  if  your  state  would  unite  with  Vir- 
ginia, and  ours,  that  Gov.  Clinton  will  be  elected.  We  need 
not  make  any  observations,  to  show  the  influence  that  the  Vice 
President  will  have,  in  the  administration  of  the  new  Go- 
vernment. Nor  is  it  necessary  to  say  any  thing  respecting 
the  talents  or  sentiments  of  this  gentleman.  Both  are  well 
known  throughout  the  Union.  If  you  should  concur  with  us 
in  opinion,  you  will  take  such  measures  to  communicate  the 
matter  to  the  Electors  of  your  state,  as  your  prudence  may 
dictate.f 

The  Schuyler  party  had  now  gained  the  Senate  by  a  small 
majority,!  while  the  party  of  the  Governor  in  the  House,  re- 
tained a  decided  ascendency.§  Mr.  Lawrence,  from  the  ma- 
jority of  the  Senate,  brought  in  a  bill,  on  the  13th  December, 
1788,  for  "  Regulating  the  manner  of  appointing  elect- 
ors, who  are  to  elect  the  President,  and  Vice  President  of 
the  United  States  of  America;"||  and  two  days  after,  another 
for  the  choice  of  Senators  to  represent  the  state  in  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States ;1T  and  simultaneously  with  these, 
Mr.  Jones,  from  the  Governor's  party  in  the  Assembly,  brought 
in  a  bill  embodying  the  choice  of  electors,  and  Senators, 

*  The  design  thus  early  formed  does  not  seem  to  have  been  disclosed 
until  the  election  of  1792. 

tTillinghast  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 

t  Senate  Journals.  §  Idem.  ||  Idem.  H  Idem. 


LIFE  OF   JOHN  LAMB.  327 

"  Entitled  an  act  for  carrying  into  effect,  on  the  part  of  this 
state,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  assented  to,  and 
ratified  by  the  Convention  of  this  state,  on  the  26th  July 
last."*  The  Senate  passed  both  their  bills,  and  they  were 
summarily  rejected  by  the  House,  three  days  afterward.f  On 
the  22d  December,  the  House  perfected  their  bill,  and  trans- 
mitted it  to  the  Senate  for  concurrence.  The  provisions  of 
the  bill  were  substantially  the  same  as  those  now  adopted  for 
the  choice  of  Senators  of  this  state  in  Congress.  J  The  Senate, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Schuyler,  amended  the  bill,  so  that  of  the 
two  Senators  to  be  chosen,  each  House  were  to  nominate,  and 
if  the  nomination  disagree,  the  Senate  were  to  choose  one  of 
those  nominated  by  the  House;  and  the  House  to  choose  one 
of  those  nominated  by  the  Senate ;§  and  the  same  mode  to 
prevail  in  the  choice  of  Electors. 

The  House  refused  to  concur  in  the  amendment,  and  the 
Senate  adhered.  A  conference  was  proposed  6  January, 
1789,  by  the  House,  but  it  produced  no  agreement,  and  both 
parties  resolved  to  maintain  their  respective  positions.||  A 
new  bill  for  the  choice  of  Senators,  was  framed  by  Mr.  Jones, 
which  was  adopted  by  the  House,  on  the  19th,  containing 
the  provisions  of  the  rejected  bill,U  and  the  Assembly  pro- 
posed a  joint  resolution  in  the  following  words:  "  Resolved, 
if  the  Senate  concur  therein,  that  eight  persons  be  appointed 
Electors  of  the  President,  and  Vice  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  the  same  manner  as  delegates  are 
chosen  to  represesent  this  state,  in  the  United  States  in  Con- 
gress assembled,  and  that  the  House  will  immediately  pro- 
ceed to  the  nomination  of  eight  persons,  as  aforesaid.  That 
the  said  persons  shall  meet  in  the  City  Hall,  of  the  city  of 
Albany,  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  February,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine,  and 
then,  and  there  proceed  to  vote  by  ballot,  for  two  persons,  as 
mentioned  in  the  fifth  section  of  the  second  article  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  in  the  manner,  and  agree- 

*  Assembly  Journals.         t  Idem.         J  Idem. 

§  Senate  Journals  and  Assembly  Jo:irrnK  |j  Hem.  «jf  |riern 


328  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

able  to  the  directions  therein  contained;  and  further,  to  do, 
and  perform  ail  other,  the  duties  enjoined  upon  them  by  the 
said  Constitution."*  To  this,  Mr.  Schuyler,  in  the  Senate, 
proposed  an  amendment,  that  eight  electors  be  chosen;  the 
Senate  to  choose  four,  and  the  House  to  choose  the  other 
four.f  The  Assembly  refused  to  agree  to  the  amendment, 
and  the  resolution  fell. 

The  bill  for  the  election  of  Senators  shared  the  same  fate; J 
the  Senate  amended  it,  and  the  House  refused  to  concur  in 
the  amendments.  A  second  conference,  invited  by  the  As- 
sembly, also,  on  the  9th  February,  resulted  in  disagreement^ 
and  the  time  for  the  meeting  of  the  Electors  having  passed, 
the  state  was  not  represented  either  in  the  Electoral  College, 
or  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.||  The  failure  to  choose 
Electors,  disconcerted  the  plans  of  Gov.  Clinton's  friends,  and 
he  received  but  three  votes,  which  were  cast  by  electors  from 
Virginia.il  This  may  be  considered  the  first  precedent  in 
which  parties  in  the  Legislature,  by  pertinaciously  adhering 
to  modes  of  action,  or  to  particular  candidates,  have  defeated 
elections  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Hammond  suggests  that  the  course  taken  by  Messrs. 
Smith,  Jones,  and  eleven  other  members  of  the  Convention, 
in  yielding  the  question  of  preliminary  amendments,  was  ad- 
vised by  Gov.  Clinton.  Dunlap,  too,  says  that  it  was  the  re- 
sult of  a  determination  in  caucus.  Both  are  probably  mis- 
taken. That  a  caucus  was  held,  is  known,  and  that  thirteen 
of  those  who  had  voted  against  adjournment,  on  the  16th 
July,  resolved  to  change,  and  did  change  their  votes  upon 
Mr.  Smith's  resolutions,  as  renewed  by  Mr.  Lansing;  but 
that  this  was  adverse  to  the  wishes  of  the  Anti-Constitution- 
alists, is  evident,  from  the  vote  on  the  final  proposition  of 
Mr.  Lansing,  and  from  the  letter  of  Dewitt  Clinton,  which, 
as  it  respects  the  opposition,  stood  the  same  as  before. 

The  seceding  members  were  principally  from  Long  Island, 

*  Senate  Journals  and  Assembly  Journals.      \  Idem.     J  Idem. 

§  Journals  of  Assembly.  ||  Idem.  1  Journals  Congress. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  329 

and  under  the  influence  of  Mr.  Jones,  while  the  delegation 
from  Ulster,  from  which  county  the  Governor  was  elected,  to 
a  man  voted  against  adoption;  so  did  that  of  Orange,  the 
birth  place  of  the  Clintons,  and  where  they  had  great  con- 
trol, with  a  single  exception,  and  all  the  other  delegations 
over  whom  the  Governor  had  the  most  influence,  stood  firm 
in  opposition*  Again,  the  apologetic  tone  of  the  preceding 
letter  of  the  Committee  to  the  different  counties,  which  most 
likely  spoke  the  language  of  Messrs.  Smith,  and  Jones,  indi-  J 
cates  an  apprehension  that  the  falling  off  of  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  state,  had  created  a  schism  in  the  party  of  the 
Non-Adoptionists. 

Mr.  Hammond  also  intimates  a  doubt  whether  Gov.  Clin- 
ton, seriously  expected,  that  the  call  of  another  general  Con- 
vention would  be  successful.  The  proceedings  of  the  Com- 
mittee, organized  13th  October,  some  of  whom  were  his  most 
intimate  friends,  together  with  his  special  call  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  his  strenuous  recommendation  to  that  body,  to 
carry  out  the  unanimous  resolve  of  the  Convention  in  that 
respect,  are  pretty  conclusive  evidence.  But  the  action  of 
the  Congress  of  1789,  which  engrafted  amendments  upon  the 
Constitution,  superseded  the  necessity  of  the  convocation. 


42 


330  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Party  Excitements. — Quarrel  between  Oswald,  and  Hamilton. — Duel 
Prevented. — Heats  in  Albany. — Greene  Street  Battle. — Attack  on 
Greenleaf  s  Office  in  New  York. — On  Gen.  Lamb's  House,  meditated. 
— Preparations  for  Defence. — Design  Abandoned. — Washington  No- 
minates Lamb  for  the  Collectorship. — Senate  Confirm. — French  Re- 
volution.— Party  Heats. — Republicans  side  with  the  French. — The 
Federalists  lean  to  the  other  Party. — Aggressions  of  the  British. — Con- 
tested Election  between  Jay,  and  Clinton. — Clinton  successful. — Second 
Presidential  Election. — Some  votes  cast  for  Clinton. — Arrival  of  Genet, 
the  French  Minister. — Great  Honors  paid  him. — Cities  Address  him. 
— A  French  Frigate  arrives. — Officers  Feasted.  —  Fleet  arrives. — 
French  Privateers  fitted  out  in  the  Delaware. — Lieutenants  of  the  Am- 
buscade decoyed  on  board  the  Boston. — The  Boston  sends  a  Challenge 
to  the  Ambuscade. — Accepted — Battle. — Captain  of  the  Boston  killed. 
— Boston  escapes. 

The  violence  with  which  each  party  urged  its  arguments, 
and  the  acrimony  which  was  exhibited  against  each  other, 
in  their  respective  party  papers,  gave  rise  to  numerous  quar- 
rels and  contentions,  and  in  one  instance  had  nearly  ended 
in  a  duel,  between  Col.  Oswald,  and  the  great  champion  of 
the  Constitutionalists.  In  consequence  of  some  extraordinary 
provocation,  a  cartel  was  borne  to  the  latter,  by  Major 
John  Wiley,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Wiley,  the  bookseller;  but 
upon  explanation,  satisfactory  to  Col.  O.,  he  withdrew  the 
challenge,  and  the  affair  was  adjusted  honorably  to  both 
parties. 

Mr.  John  C.  Hamilton,  in  his  book,  vol.  2,  page ,  as- 
serts that  there  was  a  party  combination,  to  take  the  life  of 
his  father  by  duel,  and  that  it  was  defeated  through  the  in- 
terposition of  Isaac  Ledyard.  This  is  a  grave  charge,  and 
should  not  have  been  lightly  hazarded.    Such  a  scheme  might 

*  Traditional  history 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  331 

have  been  broached  by  some  rash,  and  violent  men;  but  that 
it  received  countenance  from  any  high-minded,  and  honor- 
able man  of  the  party,  is  not  credible.  If  such  a  design  had 
existed,  the  challenge  of  Col.  Oswald  would  not  have  been 
so  readily  withdrawn,  and  a  dispute  so  near  the  last  resort, 
so  easily  compromised. 

So  far  as  Gen.  Lamb  was  concerned,  though  placed  in  di- 
rect conflict  with  Col.  H.,  on  the  question  of  rescinding  the 
disqualifications  of  the  Loyalists,  and  in  the  still  more  mo- 
mentous one,  of  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution;  there  wTas 
yet  a  friendly  intercourse  between  the  former,  and  his  great 
antagonist.  On  one  occasion,  Hamilton  was  expostulating 
with  him,  upon  the  violence  of  his  opposition  to  the  new 
scheme  of  government,  and  the  unreasonableness  of  his  fears, 
that  its  powers  would  be  abused;  since,  as  he  observed,  that 
it  was  matter  of  certainty,  that  Washington  would  be  the 
first  President.  Lamb  in  reply,  readily  admitted,  that  un- 
limited power  might  be  safely  trusted  to  that  great  man;  but 
he  added,  that  he  knew  of  no  other  mortal,  to  whom  he  would 
be  willing  to  confide,  the  enormous  authority  which  the  Con- 
stitution had  granted;  and  that  not  even  the  influence  of  a 
name  so  illustrious,  could  shake  his  opposition  to  the  dan- 
gerous instrument. 

Difference  of  opinion,  in  regard  to  the  adoption  of  the 
Constitution,  created  violent  contentions;  and  party  feuds 
had  scarcely  ever  raged  higher.  When  the  news  of  the 
accession  of  Virginia  reached  Albany,  on  the  3d  July,  the 
friends  of  the  new  charter  repaired  to  the  fort,  where  it  was 
read,  and  fired  a  salute  on  the  occasion.  The  next  day  being 
the  anniversary  of  Independence,  the  other  party  commenced 
the  celebration  of  the  national  birth  day  by  burning  the 
Constitution  at  the  same  place  where  their  adversaries  had 
testified  their  joy.  These  acts  excited  mutual  bitterness; 
and  when,  in  the  exuberance  of  their  triumph,  the  constitu- 

*  Traditional  history. 


l/ 


332  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

tionalists,  in  procession,  determined  to  pass  the  house  at 
which  the  other  party  held  their  celebration,  they  were  re- 
sisted, and  driven  back.* 

Rallying  in  greater  force,  they  made  another  attempt  in 
a  different  direction.  To  repel  this,  the  other  party  had 
planted  a  field  piece,  in  Green  street,  charged  with  small 
stones,  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  opposite  to  their  citadel, 
through  which  the  assault  was  to  be  made.  And  as  the 
troop  of  dragoons,  which  headed  the  procession  of  their 
antagonists,  began  their  charge,  the  defenders  of  the  pass 
applied  the  match  to  their  gun;  but  the  priming  had  been 
wetted,  or  the  piece  spiked,  and  it  failed  to  explode.  Su- 
periority of  numbers  prevailed;  and,  notwithstanding  a  stout 
resistance,  in  which  many  on  both  sides  were  wounded,  the 
anti-constitutionalists  were  routed.  This  affray  is  still  re- 
membered; and  the  stoney  battle  of  Green  street  is  part  of 
the  history  of  the  time.f 

The  anti-constitutionalists,  although  the  dominant  party 
in  the  state,  were  in  a  fearful  minority  in  the  city.  The  pa- 
per of  that  party,  which  for  sometime  after  the  death  of  its 
original  conductor,  had  been  managed  by  Greenleaf  for  the 
benefit  of  the  widow  of  Mr.  Holt,  had  become  the  property 
of  the  editor;  who,  although  a  decided  party  man,  resolved 
to  conduct  the  contest  with  moderation.  And  in  compari- 
son with  the  practice  which  afterwards  prevailed,  and  which 
continues  to  the  present  day,  it  must  be  admitted  that  his 
course  was  marked  with  great  prudence  and  impartiality. 
Notwithstanding  this  forbearance,  as  the  hopes  of  the  friends 
of  adoption  increased,  their  animosities  against  the  opposers 
of  the  constitution,  enkindled  from  day  to  day.  And  when 
the  great  victory,  which  had  been  so  long  doubtful,  was  at 
length  decided  in  their  favor,  they  resolved  to  manifest  their 
triumph  by  signal  marks  of  vengeance  upon  the  editor  and 
his  friends. 

This   was   threatened    for    several   days    previous,    but 

*  Loudon's  paper,  T  Greenleaf. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB.  333 

Greenleaf,  relying  too  much  upon  the  justice  of  his  enemies, 
took  very  imperfect  measures  to  defend  his  premises  and 
property.*  His  domicile  was  in  Pine  street,  and  he  was 
visiting  at  the  house  of  Maj.  J.  Miles  Hughes,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  street,  and  nearly  opposite.  As  soon  as  the  tu- 
multuous cheerings  of  the  mob  were  heard  approaching  the 
entrance  of  William  street  from  Wall,  he  began  to  appre- 
hend that  his  office  would  be  assailed.  Hurrying  across, 
armed  only  with  his  pistols,  he  dismissed  his  workmen,  who 
were  preparing  the  paper  for  publication,  and  determined 
to  abide  the  defence  alone.  One  of  his  apprentices,  how- 
ever, refused  to  quit  with  the  others,  and  armed  with  the  best 
weapon  he  could  find,  stood  by  the  editor's  side.  It  was  not 
until  midnight  that  the  rioters  were  prepared  for  the  attempt, 
when  they  marched  into  the  street  and  commenced  the  at- 
tack. Greenleaf,  with  his  resolute  apprentice,  were  in  the 
chamber  above;  and  upon  throwing  open  his  window  to  as- 
certain the  number  and  character  of  his  invaders,  he  was  sa- 
luted by  a  shower  of  stones;  and  he  discharged  in  return  one  of 
his  pistols  among  the  crowd.  The  shot  took  effect  upon  the 
dexter  hand  of  a  sailor,  who,  attracted  by  the  glorious  mis- 
chief going  forward,  was  foremost  of  the  group,  and  car- 
ried away  two  of  the  middle  fingers.  Thus  placed  hors  du 
combat,  he  made  his  retreat,  and  two  of  the  most  vociferous 
of  the  party,  who  had  stood  near  him,  thinking  the  affair 
past  a  joke,  followed  in  his  wake.  The  second  pistol,  though 
aimed  with  hearty  good  will,  missed  fire.  Axes  had  been 
procured,  and  Major  W.  Livingston  was  using  one  of  them, 
in  order  to  force  an  entrance,  when  Greenleaf,  reaching  his 
arm  out  of  the  window,  brought  the  muzzle  of  the  pistol 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  ear  of  the  assailant,  and  pulled  trig- 
ger without  effect.  The  click  of  the  lock,  and  the  formid- 
able appearance  of  the  weapon,  caused  some  of  the  party  to 
recoil;  but  a  second  attempt  to  fire  it  being  ineffectual, 
they  returned  to  the  charge.f  The  office  was  forced,  while 
*  Greenleafs  paper.  f  Traditional  History. 


334  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

the  garrison  above  stairs  made  their  escape  at  the  rear  of 
the  building,  into  Wall  street. 

The  rioters,  disappointed  by  this  escape,  threw  every  thing 
into  pi,  damaged  the  cases,  and  carried  off  some  of  the  ma- 
terials, by  which  means  the  publication  of  the  paper  was 
suspended  for  many  days.* 

Others  were  not  so  improvident  of  the  means  of  defence; 
and  General  Lamb,  the  most  obnoxious  of  the  anti  adoption- 
ists,  had  been  loudly  threatened.  With  the  vigilance  of  an 
old  campaigner,  he  provided  fifteen  or  twenty  stand  of  arms, 
with  the  requisite  ammunition,  which  with  his  side  arms  con- 
stituted tolerable  means  of  defence.  As  soon  as  it  was  known 
that  the  attack  was  meditated  on  that  night,  Col.  Oswald, 
who  happened  to  be  in  town,  repaired  to  the  house,  and 
Capt.  Tillinghast,  son-in-law  to  the  General,  also  arrived. 
General  Lamb  had  sent  his  wife  with  some  of  the  female 
domestics,  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Tillinghast  in  Cherry  street; 
his  sister  was  also  sent  abroad;  but  his  youngest  daughter, 
afterwards  married  to  Reuben  Attwater,  who  became  Secre- 
tary of  Michigan  in  1808,  with  a  Miss  Chapman  from  Con- 
necticut, a  visitor  in  the  family,  refused  to  quit  the  house. 
And  a  colored  servant,  much  attached  to  her  master,  deter- 
mined to  remain  also.  This  Amazonian  reserve  was  sta- 
tioned in  the  attick  story,  where  a  large  number  of  porter 
bottles,  and  heavy  Dutch  tiles,  the  debris  of  a  former  roof, 
had  been  stowed  away.  The  party  above  had  orders  to  cast 
these  among  the  crowd  at  the  first  report  of  musketry.  Not 
having  been  able  to  provide  himself  with  hand  grenades,  as 
was  his  original  intention,  the  commander  deemed  these  no 
inefficient  substitute. 

The  females  thus  disposed,  the  garrison  below  was  mus- 
tered. Captain  Tillinghast  received  peremptory  orders  to 
join  his  family  at  home;f  and  notwithstanding  his  ardent 
supplication  for  permission  to  remain,  under  a  threat  of  per- 
sonal ejection  in  case  of  recusancy,  he  reluctantly  obeyed. 

*  Greenleaf's  paper.  f  Family  tradition. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  LAMB.  335 

About  this  time  a  reinforcement  arrived  in  the  person  of 
Major  John  Wiley,  a  relative  of  the  family,  a  gentleman  of 
well  known  courage  and  resolution;  and  one  who  had  figured 
largely  in  the  prostration  of  the  King's  statue  in  the  Bowling 
Green,  on  the  day  that  the  news  of  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence was  received.  Three  veterans,  a  youth  of  seven- 
teen, the  present  Gen.  Anthony  Lamb,  and  a  near  relative 
about  the  same  age,  then  a  medical  student,  afterwards  Dr. 
John  Lamb,  who  died  of  yellow  fever  in  1798;  with  a  black 
servant,  formerly  belonging  to  Gen.  Bloomfield  of  New  Jer- 
sey, who  had  been  with  his  former  master  at  the  battle  of 
Monmouth,  and  no  flincher  withal,  was  the  effective  force 
remaining.  The  doors  and  windows  below  were  barred;  the 
hall  was  obstructed  by  a  barricade,  composed  of  the  furniture 
of  the  dining  room;  the  stairway  was  in  like  manner  de- 
fended; and  the  garrison  was  mustered  in  the  second  story.* 
The  boys  were  stationed  at  the  magazine,  to  hand  fresh  musk- 
ets, and  to  load  those  emptied  at  each  discharge;  and  thus  pre- 
pared, Gen.  Lamb  placed  each  man  at  his  station,  with  strict 
injunctions,  in  no  event  to  be  provoked  to  fire,  until  he  should 
begin  the  action;  resolving  to  reserve  his  own  fire  until  the 
assault  should  seriously  begin.  All  the  lights  were  extin- 
guished, save  that  at  the  arsenal,  to  enable  the  guns  to  be 
reloaded  with  accuracy  and  dispatch,  and  in  this  condition 
they  quietly  awaited  the  onslaught. 

The  rioters  having  finished  at  Greenleaf  s,  with  shouts  and 
huzzas,  began  to  throng  into  Wall  street,  where  on  the  south 
side,  about  mid  way  between  Pearl  and  William  streets,  Gen. 
Lamb  resided.  The  whole  street  in  front  of  the  house,  it  be- 
ing moonlight,  presented  to  the  view  of  those  stationed  at 
the  windows,  a  dense  mass  of  heads;  while  the  shutters  of 
the  windows  being  closed,  and  loop  holes  cut  for  observation, 
and  for  the  fire  arms,  nothing  was  discoverable  from  without.f 
All  sorts  of  noises,  threats,  and  revilings  were  vociferously 
uttered,  but  the  inmates  of  the  house  made  no  reply;  and 
the   leaders  of  the  mob,   somewhat   disconcerted,  prepared 

*  Family  tradition.  f  Idem. 


336  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

to  hold  a  council  of  war.  The  conclusion  to  which  they 
arrived  was,  either  that  the  house  was  deserted,  or  that 
it  was  to  be  vigorously  defended.  The  first  suggestion, 
the  well  known  character  of  the  occupant  forbade  them  to 
indulge;  and  coming  to  the  latter  conclusion,  they  all  knew 
the  hazard  of  the  encounter,  and  very  prudently  abandoned 
the  enterprise. 

The  matter  at  this  day  may  be  treated  with  pleasantry, 
but  it  was  a  most  solemn  crisis,  and  pregnant  with  serious 
danger.  Had  the  attempt  been  made,  so  ample  were  the 
means  of  defence,  and  so  obstinate  the  courage  of  the  de- 
fenders; that  a  fearful  loss  of  life  would  have  ensued.  If 
ultimately  successful,  the  invaders  might  have  taken  the 
females  captive;  but  the  dead  bodies  of  the  male  defenders, 
alone  would  have  signalized  the  triumph;  while  hecatombs 
of  their  own  friends  would  have  been  sacrificed  in  the  affray. 
The  city  would  have  been  disgraced;  and  the  sanguinary 
scenes  afterwards  enacted  at  Baltimore,  would  not  have 
lacked  a  precedent.  This  was  the  only  tumult  which  occur- 
red on  the  final  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  and  the  great 
and  important  change  in  the  government  of  a  nation,  was 
quietly  effected. 

The  complexion  given  to  parties  by  the  controversies  in 
regard  to  the  restoration  of  the  tories,  was  for  a  while, 
merged  in  the  disputes  concerning  the  Constitution;  whose 
friends  had  become  intolerant  after  their  success;  and  strenu- 
ous exertions  were  made  to  punish  those  who  had  opposed 
its  adoption.  The  first  session  of  the  Congress  after  the 
election  of  President  and  Vice  President,  was  held  in  New 
York;  and  great  efforts  were  made  to  induce  General  Wash- 
ington to  overlook  Lamb,  (who  held  the  office  of  Collector 
of  the  Customs  under  the  government  of  New  York,)  in  his 
nominations  to  the  Senate.  He  had  not  solicited  the  nomi- 
nation of  the  President;  and  a  pretext  was  made,  that  he 
ought  for  that  cause  to  be  dropped;  but  the  chief  arguments 
used  against  him,  were  the  active  measures  which  he  had 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  337 

taken  to  defeat  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution.  These  lat- 
ter considerations,  had  no  weight  in  the  mind  of  Washing- 
ton; who  was  too  just  to  punish  any  one,  for  a  difference  of 
political  opinion;  but  he  was  seriously  embarrassed  by  the 
neglect  of  Lamb,  to  make  application  for  reappointment* 

Many  were  the  candidates  for  the  office,  who  sanguinely 
expected  the  President's  influence  in  their  favor;  and  still 
General  Lamb  adhered  inflexibly  to  his  resolution  not  to 
solicit  the  appointment.  To  the  arguments  of  his  friends, 
who  urged  him  to  apply;  he  replied,  "No  man  knows  better 
than  the  President,  whether  I  have  acquired  claims  upon  the 
government,  by  services  to  the  country .f  If  he  thinks  pro- 
per to  nominate  me  I  shall  be  duly  grateful  for  the  favor; 
but  if  he  should  deem  another  man's  pretensions  more  worthy 
than  mine;  I  shall  cheerfully  submit."!  For  several  days 
the  President  withheld  the  nomination,  in  the  expectation  of 
a  formal  application;  but  being  apprized  of  the  footing  upon 
which  General  Lamb  rested  his  case,  on  the  6th  Aug.  1879, 
he  sent  in  his  name  to  the  Senate,  who  unanimously  ratified 
the  appointment.^ 

Accounts  were,  on  the  24th  September,  received  of  the 
commencement  of  the  French  Revolution;  which  being 
headed  by  La  Fayette,  and  many  who  had  served  in  Ame- 
rica, was  hailed  with  great  enthusiasm  by  all  parties.  Even 
those  who  had  adhered  to  the  Crown,  during  the  war, 
viewed  the  event  with  joy;  as  it  seemed  to  strike  a  blow 
against  the  natural  enemies  of  Bjitain.  But  as  that  revolu- 
tion advanced,  the  doubtful  course,  pursued  by  the  parties 
which  successively  displaced  each  other,  shook  the  faith  of 
the  more  sagacious  in  the  patriotism  of  all.  And  when  the 
sanguinary  proceedings  of  the  Jacobins,  had  disgraced  the 
nation,  and  stained  the  cause  by  their  course  of  rapine  and 
blood,  a  large  party  in  the  United  States  reprobated  and  de- 
nounced it. 

But  there  were  many,  who  did  not  approve  of  the  mur- 

*  Family  tradition,  f  Idem.  {Menu.  §  Senate  Journals 

43 


338  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

ders  and  crimes  of  the  revolutionists;  yet  could  not  abandon 
hopes  of  a  beneficial  termination  of  the  revolt;  and  were  for 
strengthening  the  efforts  of  France,  by  the  direct  influence 
of  the  government.  This  was  avoided  by  the  President; 
and  a  position  of  neutrality  was  taken  by  the  administra- 
tion. Out  of  this  question,  grew  violent  contentions;  the 
lines,  which  had  been  drawn  during  the  contest  for  the  en- 
franchisement of  the  tories;  were  now,  more  strongly  marked 
than  ever;  and  the  parties,  mutually  charged  each  other, 
with  being  factions  of  the  belligerents  of  Europe;  and  in 
truth,  the  situations,  into  which  both  parties  had  been  thrown 
by  circumstances,  gave  color  to  the  accusation.  The  exas- 
perations produced  by  these  collisions,  were  continually  in- 
creasing. If  the  friends  of  the  administration  were  justified 
in  their  course,  by  the  malconduct  of  the  revolutionists;  the 
friends  of  France,  were  confirmed  in  their  detestation  of  the 
English,  by  the  unwarrantable  conduct  of  their  government; 
who  still  kept  possession  of  the  posts  upon  the  upper  lakes; 
and  even  maintained  a  naval  armament  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain. 

Nor  did  the  conduct  of  the  commanders  of  British  vessels 
arriving,  7th  December,  1791,  in  our  harbors,  tend  to  di- 
minish the  excitement  against  their  government.  An  armed 
schooner  of  that  nation  arrived,  which,  upon  being  boarded 
by  our  revenue  officer,  claimed  exemption  from  the  visit,  as 
a  government  vessel;  and  the  master  refused  to  show  his 
commission.*  * 

The  anti-constitutional  party  in  the  city  which  had  hith- 
erto claimed  to  be  designated  as  the  Federal  Republican, 
now  abandoned  the  ground  to  their  antagonists,  and  adopted 
the  title  of  Republican;  and  the  electioneering  contest  was 
carried  on  under  that  name,  opposed  to  the  one  under  which 
they  had  formerly  rallied;  and  which  had  been  usurped  from 
them. 

The  Bank  of  New  York,  which  had  been  established  under 

*Greenleafs  and  other  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  339 

the  auspices  of  Col.  Hamilton  in  .1784,  was,  25th  March, 
1791,  incorporated;  and  as  it  had  always  exercised  an  im- 
portant influence  upon  the  elections,  its  power  upon  the  ap- 
proaching struggle,  was  not  weakened  by  the  stability  which 
it  had  acquired  by  its  charter. 

The  chair  of  State  was  in  1792  disputed  between  George 
Clinton  of  the  Republican  party,  and  John  Jay,  the  Federal 
candidate;  and  the  battle  was  carried  on  with  great  viru- 
lence. The  Clinton  party,  charged  upon  the  opposing  can- 
didate, the  authorship  of  many  severe  articles  which  had  been 
published  against  them.  This  charge,  entirely  inconsistent 
with  his  whole  character,  was  indignantly  denied  by  Mr. 
Jay.  But  on  the  4th  April,  the  most  singular  theme  of  vitu- 
peration against  the  Federal  candidate,  was  that  of  being  too 
much  under  the  influence  of  the  general  administration* 
Clinton  was  elected,  and  the  defeated  candidate  was  appointed 
Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States.  The  second  election  of 
President  and  Vice  President,  took  place  about  this  time; 
and  George  Clinton  received  fifty  votes  for  the  Vice  Presi- 
dency.! New  York  had  now  passed  a  law  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  electors;  and  twelve  of  her  votes  were  cast  for  Clin- 
ton. Virginia  gave  him  twenty -one;  North  Carolina  twelve; 
Georgia  four;  and  Pennsylvania  one. 

The  heats  engendered  by  this  election,  had  not  subsided, 
when  the  French  frigate,  the  Ambuscade,  arrived  at  Charles- 
ton on  the  8th  April,  1792,  bringing  as  Minister  of  the  French 
Republic,  Edmond  Charles  Genet,  Adjutant-General  of  the 
Republican  armies.  This  vessel  had  made  many  prizes  on 
our  coast;  and  the  eclat  given  to  the  arrival  of  the  gallic 
envoy,  was  as  grateful  to  the  Republican,  as  it  was  repulsive 
to  the  Federal  party.  The  papers  gave  out,  that  the  new 
Minister  was  about  to  declare  certain  ports  open  to  a  more 
extended  commerce  with  the  United  States;  and  this  an- 
nouncement had  a  tendency  to  increase  the  public  good  will 
towards  the  Republic  and  its  missive.     The  progress  of  the 

*  Greenleafs  and  other  papers.  f  Journals  of  Congress. 


340  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Ambassador  towards  the  seat  of  government,  was  triumphal. 
His  approach  was  heralded  by  the  newspapers ;  and  the  citi- 
zens, on  the  17th  May,  en  masse,  were  invited  to  meet  him, 
and  escort  him  into  Philadelphia.  A  public  address  was 
given  him;  and  the  high  honors  which  were  paid  him  by 
the  people,  could  not  have  failed  to  confirm  him  in  a  belief  of 
the  popularity  of  his  mission,  and  of  his  personal  importance. 
And  when  the  Ambuscade,  which  had  brought  him,  after 
scouring  the  coast,  arrived  in  the  bay  of  New  York,  12th 
June,  the  commander  of  the  Frigate  and  his  officers,  were  re- 
ceived with  the  highest  distinction.*  The  Cap  of  Liberty 
was  erected  upon  the  top  of  the  flag  staff  of  the  Tontine,  on 
the  15th,  which  was  declared  under  the  protection  of  all  real 
Whigs;  its  molestation  denounced,  and  the  removal  strictly 
forbidden. 

After  enjoying  for  ten  days  the  demonstrations  of  the 
friendship  of  the  Republicans,  the  commander  of  the  Ambus- 
cade, on  the  22d  June,  sailed  on  a  cruise,  with  the  good 
washes  of  the  one,  and  the  maledictions  of  the  other  party. 
Factious  animosities  continued  to  increase;  French  privateers 
were  fitted  out  in  southern  ports,  and  in  the  Delaware;  and  citi- 
zens of  Pennsylvania  were  arrested  for  having  served  on  board 
them.  The  general  government,  as  was  proper,  denounced 
them;  and  issued  a  proclamation  of  neutrality,  which  was  ill 
received  by  the  Republicans,  who  doubled  their  demonstra- 
tions of  respect  for  the  French  envoy,  as  the  administration 
seemed  disposed  to  circumscribe  his  influence. 

The  conduct  of  the  envoy  was  conciliatory  to  the  people; 
and  he  severely  denounced  the  commanders  of  certain  French 
vessels,  for  maltreating  the  American  flag.  The  Ambuscade 
arrived  on  the  14th  July,  and  her  officers  received  renewed 
tokens  of  the  friendship  of  the  Republicans,  whose  sympa- 
thies were  more  strongly  excited  by  an  occurrence  not  very 
honorable  to  the  British  flag.f  A  pilot  boat  came  in,  on  the 
21st,  reporting  the  Concorde,  a  consort  of  the  French  vessel,  off 

*  Greenleafs  and  other  papers.  t  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  341 

the  Hook;  and  a  Lieutenant  with  a  boat's  crew,  unwilling  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  frigate,  went  out  to  meet  her.  De- 
ceived by  the  report  of  the  pilot,  and  by  the  tri-colored  flag, 
which  was  spread  aloft,  they  mounted  the  decks;  when  to 
their  surprise,  they  found  themselves  prisoners  of  war,  on 
board  the  Boston,  a  British  frigate.  This  ungenerous  act 
was  severely  reprobated  by  the  Republicans;  and  the  trea- 
chery of  the  pilot,  deservedly  denounced.  The  commander  of 
the  Boston,  not  satisfied  with  the  insult  that  he  had  offered, 
sent  to  Capt.  Bompard,  of  th£  Ambuscade,  an  invitation  to 
meet  him  at  sea;  and  the  French  frigate,  on  the  30th 
July,  sailed  with  the  intention  of  fighting  the  Boston.  It  was 
said  that  this  challenge  was  accepted,  at  the  solicitations  of 
some  of  the  leading  Republicans  of  the  city.  It  in  certain 
that  many  citizens  volunteered  to  man  the  French  ship ;  and 
others  thronged  the  pilot  boats,  and  went  down  to  the  Hook, 
in  order  to  witness  the  approaching  combat.  The  vessels 
met;  and  after  a  severe  action,  Courtney,  the  Captain  of  the 
Boston,  was  killed;  his  main-top-mast  shot  away,  and  with 
much  water  in  her  hold,  the  British  ship  bore  away  for  Hali- 
fax. Bompard  for  some  time  followed  the  chase;  but  all 
his  lower  masts  being  wounded,  and  it  being  imprudent  to 
follow  her  farther,  his  antagonist  escaped.* 

*  Greenleaf  s  and  other  papers. 


342  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Bets  upon  the  Issue  of  the  Battle  — French  Party  elated. — Mortification 
of  the  English. — Genet  arrives  in  the  City. — Demonstrations  of  Re- 
spect.— Arrogance  of  the  Minister. — Government  ueutral. — Genet 
threatens  to  appeal  to  Congress  froan  the  President's  decision. — Charged 
with  threatening  to  appeal  to  the  People. — Denies  the  charge  —Calls 
upon  the  Attorney-General  of  the  U.  S.  to  prosecute  Jay  and  King  for 
circulating  the  Report. — Attorney-General  refuses. — Ultraism  of  Party 
on  both  sides. — Tri-colored  cockade  worn  by  the  Republicans. — Term 
Democrat  introduced. — Democratic  Society  formed. — Governor  orders 
the  Ships  of  War  of  both  Nations  beloAV  Governor's  Island. — French  Li- 
berty Cap  mounted  on  the  Flag-staff  at  the  Tontine. — Contested  Election 
between  Jay  and  Yates. — Jay  successful. — Jay's  Treaty  denounced. — 
Public  Meetings. — Democrats  burn  the  Treaty. — Quarrel  between  Gen. 
Hamilton  and  Commodore  Nicholson. — Compromised. — Popularity  of 
Genet  declines.  Lamb's  ill  health  — Death  of  his  Assistant  and  Son- 
in-law. — Death  of  Col.  Oswald. — Infidelity  of  Lamb's  Clerk. — Conse- 
quent Difficulties. — Attack  of  the  Gout. — Death. — His  Character. 

Bets  had  run  extravagantly  high,  upon  the  result  of  this 
encounter.  All  who  believed  in  the  invincibility  of  the  tars 
of  old  England,  had  given  large  odds  that  the  Ambuscade 
would  be  taken;  and  were  not  a  little  chop-fallen,  at  their 
disappointment;  while  the  exultation  of  the  Republicans 
was  vociferous. 

During  the  continuance  of  these  excitements,  on  the  3d 
Aug.,  a  French  fleet,  of  fifteen  sail,  arrived  in  port;  whose 
officers  were  treated  with  the  same  extravagant  civility 
which  had  been  bestowed  upon  those  of  the  Ambuscade. 
And  in  the  midst  of  these  demonstrations,  the  arrival  of  the 
French  Minister  at  Powle's  Hook,  was  announced  on  the 
7th.*  The  bells  were  rung,  a  salute  was  fired,  and  a  large 
meeting  was  held  in  the  fields,  of  which  Commodore  James 

*  Greenleaf  s  and  other  papers. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  343 

Nicholson  was  chairman,  and  White  Matlack  secretary; 
and  a  committee  of  forty  was  appointed  to  arrange  a  meet- 
ing with  the  ambassador,  and  to  escort  him  into  town.  The 
next  day,  a  counter  meeting  was  called,  of  which  Nicholas 
Cruger  was  chairman,  which  strongly  inculcated  the  obser- 
vance of  the  President's  proclamation  of  neutrality,  and  de- 
nounced service  on  board  French  privateers.  The  Chamber 
of  Commerce  concurred  with  this  meeting. 

The  very  extraordinary  countenance  which  had  every 
where  been  given  by  the  leaders  of  the  republican  party  to 
the  French  envoy,  together  with  the  enthusiastic  reception 
which  the  people  gave  him  on  his  advent  among  them,  in- 
flated the  pride  of  the  Minister,  who  was  not  over  diffident 
of  his  own  importance.  He  had  been  led  into  much  impru- 
dence of  language  with  regard  to  the  Executive  and  his  ad- 
visers; and  he  disclosed  to  Alexander  J.  Dallas  of  Philadel- 
phia, his  determination  to  appeal  to  Congress  from  the 
President's  measures.  Mr.  Dallas  reported  this  conversa- 
tion to  Gov.  Mifflin  of  Pennsylvania,  who  understood  him 
to  say,  the  Minister  had  threatened  to  appeal  from  the  Pre- 
sident to  the  people;  and  the  Governor  in  turn  detailed  to 
Messrs.  Hamilton  and  Knox,  members  of  the  President's 
cabinet,  that  the  envoy  had  so  threatened.  These  gentlemen 
repeated  this  information  to  Messrs.  Jay  and  King,  who,  at 
the  moment  when  the  popular  favor  towards  France  was  at 
the  highest,  published,  under  the  sanction  of  their  names  in 
the  newspapers,  the  threat  of  M.  Genet,  as  they  had  under- 
stood it. 

This  statement  was  denied  by  the  friends  of  the  Minister, 
and  as  confidently  reaffirmed  by  the  opposite  party;  crimina- 
tions and  recriminations  were  lavishly  uttered,  and  the  ran- 
cour of  the  different  factions  was  increased.* 

M.  Genet,  unwilling  to  remain  under  the  charge  brought 
against  him  by  Messrs.  Jay  and  Hamilton,  wrote  a  letter  to 
the  President,  calling  upon  him  to  disavow  it.     This  letter 

*Greenleafs  and  other  papers. 


344  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

was  replied  to  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  Secretary  of  State,  in  which 
he  apprises  the  Minister  that  direct  applications  to  the 
Executive  are  inadmissable,  and  that  to  the  Department  of 
State  his  appeals  ought  to  be  addressed 

A  new  cause  of  complaint  was  found  by  the  Minister  in 
consequence  of  the  revocation,  by  the  President,  of  the  exe- 
quatur of  the  Vice-Consul  of  France  to  Massachusetts,  New- 
Hampshire,  and  Rhode  Island.  Against  this  act,  the  envoy 
rudely  remonstrated,  and  denied  the  authority  of  the  Presi- 
dent in  the  case.  He  followed  this  declaration  by  a  formal 
complaint,  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  against  Messrs.  Jay  and 
Hamilton.  He  also  wrote  to  the  Attorney-General,  Ran- 
dolph, calling  upon  him  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  France  by 
prosecuting  those  gentleman  for  a  libel  upon  her  Minister; 
but  that  functionary,  after  a  conference  with  the  French 
envoy,  declined  to  prosecute,  because  he  did  not  consider  the 
case  sustainable.  During  all  these  controversies,  the  repub- 
lican party,  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  spmpathized  with 
Genet;  and  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  gave  him  a  public 
dinner.* 

About  this  period,  Col.  Oswald,  formerly  Lieut.-Col.  of 
Lamb's  regiment,  and  who  had  gained  much  reputation  by 
his  conduct  of  the  artillery  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  re- 
turned. He  had  been  to  England  upon  some  business,  and 
guided  by  his  natural  enthusiasm  for  liberty  and  passion  for 
military  renown,  had  crossed  the  channel  and  entered  the 
army  of  Dumourier.  He  was  received  with  distinction,  -  and 
the  command  of  a  regiment  of  artillery  was  given  him;  in 
which  he  served  at  the  battle  of  Mons  or   Jemappe.f     The 

*  Greenleafs  paper. 

t  Col.  Oswald,  is  undoubtedly,  the  American  alluded  to  in  the  follow- 
ing sketch: 

"  The  French  were  aware  of  the  superiority  of  the  cavalry  of  the 
enemy  they  had  to  contend  with:  to  this  force,  they  were  strongly  ad- 
vised by  an  American,  who  had  made  a  campaign  with  them  in  the  Low 
Countries,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Jemappe,  to  bring  a  more  than  usual 
quantity  of  artillery  into  the  field.      This  suggestion  was   adopted   and 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  345 

appearance  of  this  officer  in  his  foreign  uniform,  and  wear- 
ing the  tri-colored  cockade,  among  his  former  acquaintances, 
tended  in  no  small  degree  to  exacerbate  the  hostilities  of  his 
old  antagonists;  while  the  frequent  insults  of  the  British  to 
our  flag  upon  the  high  seas,  and  their  spoliations  upon  our 
commerce,  inflamed  the  hostilities  of  the  republicans  against 
that  nation,  and  all  those  who  directly,  or  indirectly,  sus- 
tained it.  Meetings  were  called,  on  the  27th  Feb.,  1794, 
to  take  into  consideration  these  spoliations;  and  the  decla- 
mations, pro  and  con,  were  highly  exciting.  In  this  state 
of  feeling  all  classes  and  occupations  mingled.  It  even  in- 
vaded the  green  room  of  the  theatre;  and  Mrs.  Melmoth, 
then  in  high  favor  with  the  public,  refusing  to  speak  an 
epilogue  to  the  opera  of  Tammany,  came  very  near  expe- 
riencing a  severe  rebuke,  for  that  refusal,  from  the  adherents 
of  the  republican  party.  The  tri-colored  cockade  was  worn 
by  numbers;  and  some  enthusiasts  recommended  its  adoption 
as  the  national  cockade  of  the  Union.  French  manners  and 
modes  of  address  were  imitated;  the  term  of  "  citizen" 
was  adopted  by  many;  and  the  democrats,  who  favored  the 
French,  and  the  Sons  of  Liberty  of  our  own  revolution, 
were,  in  the  publications  of  the  republicans,  strongly 
assimilated.*  A  writer,  whose  article  was  headed  "  Demo- 
crat No.  1,"  addressed  the  President  as  "  Citizen  George 
Washington;"  and  a  democratic  society  was  formed,  of 
which  Commodore  Nicholson  was  president,  and  Tunis 
Wortman  secretary.!  From  this  period  may  be  dated  the 
adoption  of  the  term  democrat  in  the  party  nomenclature; 

occasioned  a  sudden  and  vast  promotion  of  officers." — Biography  of  Mo- 
rcau;    Universal  Magazine.  No.  IV.  of  Vol.  I,  for  April,  1804. 

*  Greenleaf  s  paper. 

t  Mr.  Davis,  in  his  life  of  Burr,  vol.  1,  page  53,  says,  "  Soon  after 
the  adoption  of  the  New  Constitution,  the  anti-federal  party  were  re- 
cognized by  a  name  more  descriptive  of  their  principles  and  their  views. 
They  assumed  the  title  of  Democrats.  They  considered  themselves  an- 
ti-constitutionalists; but  not  anti-federalists."  In  this  he  is  certainly 
mistaken. 

44 


346  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

and  the  successors  of  the  party  of  that  day,  were  long  known 
sometimes  as  republicans,  sometimes  as  democrats.  The  de- 
mocratic society  and  its  officers  were  denounced  and  ridi- 
culed by  the  federalists;*  its  members  were  called  Jacobins 
and  sans  culottes;  but  they  stoutly  defended  themselves;  and 
democratic  societies  were  every  where  established  under  the 
auspices  of  the  French  Minister. 

The  ships  of  war  of  both  nations  were  crowded  into  the 
harbor,  and  Gov.  Clinton,  probably  considering  their  proxi- 
mity alarming,  on  the  12th  June,  ordered  the  armed  vessels 
in  port  to  go  below  Governor's  Island,  and  inhibited  them 
all  approach  to  the  city  within  a  mile  of  that  place.  This 
was  afterwards,  on  the  24th  Oct.,  relaxed  to  vessels  wanting 
repairs.f 

The  flag  staff  at  the  Tontine  was  surmounted  by  the  Cap 
of  Liberty;  and  the  democrats  had  hoisted  the  tri-colored 
flag  beneath  the  national  emblem.  This  was,  on  the  20th 
May,  1795,  hauled  down  by  the  opposite  party  and  secreted; 
or,  as  the  papers  of  the  democrats  phrased  it,  "  insultingly 
and  feloniously"  carried  away.J  But  the  indignation  of  the 
party  was  appeased  when,  after  a  few  days,  it  was  reclaimed 
and  restored.  In  the  midst  of  these  heats  and  heart  burn- 
ings, an  election  occurred.  George  Clinton  having  de- 
clined to  be  again  the  candidate  of  his  party,  Robert  Yates, 
Chief  Justice  of  the  State,  was  selected  in  his  stead;  and 
William  Floyd  was  associated  with  him  as  Lieutenant-Go- 
vernor; while  the  federal  party  put  in  nomination  John 
Jay,  Envoy  to  the  Court  of  St.  James,  and  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  Patroon  of  Albany,  as  their  candidates. 
They  were  triumphant;  and  for  the  first  time  the  power  of 
the  state  government  passed  from  the  republican  party. 

In  proportion  to  the  decline  of  their  influence,  the  animo- 
sities of  that  party  increased.  Fuel  was  added  to  the  flame, 
when  the  terms  of  the  treaty,  negotiated  by  Chief  Justice 
Jay,  with  the  British  government,  15th  July,  1795,  were  dis- 

*  Greenleaf.  t  Proclamation  of  the  Governor.         X  Idem. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMR  347 

closed  to  the  public.  The  Senate  had  this  important  subject 
for  some  time  before  them,  in  secret  session,  when  the  whole 
matter  was  prematurely  made  known  to  the  people,  by  Ste- 
vens Thompson  Mason,  a  Senator  from  Virginia.*  The  burst 
of  indignation  which  followed  this  disclosure  was  extreme. 
The  Democratic  papers  denounced  the  treaty  most  emphati- 
cally; they  indulged  hopes  of  its  rejection  by  the  Senate; 
and  after  it  had  been  ratified  by  that  body,  they  clung  to  the 
belief,  that  the  President  would  interpose  his  veto  to  the 
adoption. 

Disappointed  in  their  expectations,  no  other  resource  was 
left  them,  but  to  express  their  repugnance  to  the  treaty,  and 
its  abettors,  and  by  attempts  to  rouse  the  popular  sentiment 
against  them.  Public  meetings  were  called;  July  18th, 
thanks  were  resolved  to  Mr.  Mason,  for  his  conduct  in  the 
Senate,  and  the  treaty  was  abused,  and  repudiated.  At  one 
of  these  assemblies  of  the  people,  Alexander  Hamilton,  and 
Rufus  King,  undertook  the  defence  of  Gov.  Jay,  and  his 
treaty;!  and  they  defended  the  compact,  with  their  usual  abi- 
lity; while  on  the  other  side,  it  was  formidably  assailed  by 
Peter  R.  Livingston,  Brockholst  Livingston,  and  others.  A 
majority  of  the  meeting,  disapproved  the  treaty.  Commit- 
tees were  chosen  to  report  resolves  against  it,  and  a  proces- 
sion of  five  hundred,  on  the  226  July,  proceeded  to  the  Bat- 
tery, where  the  document,  so  obnoxious  to  their  resentment, 
was  formally  burnt.  Never,  since  the  commotions  of  1765, 
and  1775,  had  party  acrimony  risen  to  so  high  a  pitch,  or 
threatened  such  dangerous  results.  J  Bitter  quarrels  were  en- 
gendered, and  a  duel  was  about  to  be  fought  between  Col. 
Hamilton,  and  Commodore  Nicholson,  which  happily,  was 
prevented  by  the  interposition  of  Dewitt  Clinton,  aided  by 
other  pacificators.^ 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  declare,  that  in  all  these  excite- 
ments, Gen.  Lamb,  in  perfect  consistency  with  his  enthusi- 

*  Greenleaf,  and  other  papers.  1  Idem.  J  Greenleaf. 

§  This  is  asserted  upon  the  declaration  of  Solomon  South  wick. 


34S  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

astic  character,  and  his  former  preferences,  took  a  decided 
part,  although  incapacitated  by  frequent  attacks  of  the  gout, 
from  assuming  an  active  lead.  His  predilections,  as  regarded 
the  belligerents  of  Europe,  leaned  to  France,  and  throughout 
the  whole  contest,  he  was  the  determined  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party.  His  house  had  been,  and  still  was  the 
resort  of  all  the  officers  of  the  French  vessels,  when  in  port. 
Bompard  was  feted  there,  on  his  triumphal  return  from  his 
action  with  the  Boston,  and  it  was  the  rallying  point  of  all 
who  were  in  favor  of  the  Revolutionists  of  France. 

From  his  earliest  acquaintance  with  George  Clinton,  Gen. 
Lamb  had  imbibed  the  warmest  attachment,  to  that  excellent 
man;  and  he  ranged  himself  on  all  occasions,  under  the  po- 
litical banner  of  that  devoted  patriot.  This  friendship  was 
as  ardently  returned,  and  endured  until  it  was  dissolved  by 
death.  With  the  French  Minister,  his  relations  had  been 
always  friendly;  and  these  ties  became  closer  cemented,  by 
the  alliance  of  that  personage,  with  the  family  of  his  friend. 

If  the  honors  paid  to  the  Envoy  by  the  people,  and  his 
consequent  triumphs  were  too  exuberant;  the  reaction  of  the 
popular  sentiment,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  great 
leaders  of  the  Federal  party,  was  unjustly  severe;  but  in  his 
exultations  in  prosperity,  and  in  his  subsequent  mortifications, 
and  undeserved  disgrace,  Gen.  Lamb  ardently,  and  sincerely 
sympathized.  These  predilections,  and  the  ardor  with  which 
he  sustained  them,  rendered  him  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the 
resentment  of  the  party  opposed  to  him. 

Gen.  Lamb  had  never  been  able  to  eradicate  the  gout, 
which  had  so  severely  attacked  him  in  the  hospital  in  Quebec; 
and  the  fatigues,  and  exposure,  incident  to  a  military  life, 
had  augmented  the  inveteracy  of  that  cruel  disease.  Its  at- 
tacks now  became  more  frequent,  and  severe;  often  threaten- 
ening  the  vital  parts,  and  at  length,  he  was  in  a  great  mea- 
sure confined  to  his  own  house,  and  unable  in  person  to 
attend  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  These,  however,  were  ably 
managed  by  Capt.  Charles  Tillinghast,  his  son-in-law,  much 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  349 

to  the  satisfaction  of  the  public,  and  the  government.  This 
gentleman,  during  the  ravages  of  the  yellow  fever,  prompted 
by  the  benevolence  of  his  own  heart,  and  acting  as  minister 
to  the  charities  of  Gen.  Lamb,  which  were  in  that  distressing 
calamity,  extended  to  all  within  his  reach;  had  exposed  him- 
self to  the  contagion,  by  visiting  the  unfortunate  persons  un- 
der its  influence,  and  was  himself  visited  by  a  severe  attack 
of  the  dreadful  malady.  He  survived  this,  but  upon  his 
convalescence,  he  again  exerted  himself  on  similar  missions 
of  humanity;  a  relapse  occurred,  always  more  fatal  than  the 
first  attack,  and  in  a  few  days  he  fell  a  victim  of  his  own 
philanthropy. 

This  loss,  to  all  his  friends  and  relatives,  was  irreparable. 
To  Gen.  Lamb  it  was  heart-rendingly  severe.  Independent 
of  the  claims  to  his  attachment,  from  his  close  affinity,  as 
his  son-in-law;  the  amiable  character,  and  exalted  virtues 
of  the  deceased,  had  acquired  his  unbounded  affection,  and 
the  blow  was  heavy  indeed. 

Aside  from  those  family  ties,  and  those  social  virtues  of 
the  deceased,  which  had  attracted  the  affections  of  all 
who  knew  him;  the  fidelity  and  zeal  with  which  Mr.  Til- 
linghast  had  performed  his  duty  to  the  country  throughout 
the  war,  had  given  him  additional  claims  to  the  regard  of 
General  Lamb.  He  had  served  with  distinguished  credit,  as 
assistant  of  Col.  Hughes,  in  the  Quarter-Master's  depart- 
ment, of  the  Middle  District,  a  position  arduous  in  the  ex- 
treme, and  attended  with  great  danger,  whenever  his  func- 
tions were  to  be  exercised  within  the  neutral  ground  :  the 
inhabitants  of  which  had  become  demoralized  by  the  disor- 
ders of  the  times,  and  by  the  alternate  incursions  of  both  the 
British,  and  American  armies.  After  the  retirement  of  Col. 
H.,  Mr.  Tillinghast  continued  in  the  department,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  Col.  Pickering,  the  Quarter-Master 
General. 

While  acting  with  Col.  Hughes,  they  had  one  signal  op- 
portunity of  carrying  into  execution  the  special  orders  of  the 


^50  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

Commander-in-Chief,  whose  prudence,  and  forecast  were  ever 
vigilant.  This  was  in  providing  the  means  of  transport,  for 
bringing  off  the  army,  after  the  fatal  defeat  on  Long  Island,  in 
1776.  Every  thing  available  along  the  coast,  from  Spuyten 
Duyvel  creek,  to  the  Sound,  had  been,  during  the  battle, 
pressed  into  the  service  by  order  of  Washington;  and  the 
secrecy  with  which  these  vessels  were  secured,  and  posted, 
with  the  promptitude,  and  energy  of  the  officers  employed, 
called  forth  the  special  acknowledgement  of  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  after  the  retreat  was  perfected. 

During  both  these  attacks  of  the  pestilence,  he  who  had 
ministered  in  like  extremity  to  others,  received  from  his 
friends,  every  assistance,  and  consolation  they  could  bestow. 
Col.  Willett,  who  had  been  his  partner  in  business,  with 
Anthony  Lamb,  his  friend,  and  brother,  were  constantly  with 
him,  and  Col.  Oswald,  who  happened  in  town  at  the  last 
attack,  flew  to  the  bedside  of  the  sufferer,  whom  he  loved 
with  fraternal  affection,  and  relieved  his  other  nurses  in  their 
assiduous  efforts  to  restore  him.  The  two  first,  escaped  the 
danger  to  which  they  had  exposed  themselves;  but  Oswald, 
who  had  so  often  faced  death  in  the  field  of  battle,  wTas  now 
to  encounter  him  in  a  different  sphere.  In  his  attendance 
upon  the  last  moments  of  his  expiring  friend,  he  had  con- 
tracted the  unrelenting  pestilence,  and  in  a  few  days  after  he 
had  seen  the  remains  of  one  he  had  loved,  deposited  in  their 
last  resting  place,  in  Trinity  Church  yard;  he  himself  died, 
and  was  buried  in  Saint  Paul's,  on  the  2d  October.* 

The  death  of  his  old  friend,  and  faithful  companion  in 
arms,  following  so  near,  a  dearer  loss,  was  attended  by  other 
bereavements,  which  added  to  his  distress,  and  severely  af- 
fected the  health,  and  spirits  of  Gen.  Lamb;  but  in  the  so- 
ciety of  his  domestic  circle,  which  was  now  increased  by  the 
widow,  and  orphans  of  his  departed  son;  and  in  the  sympa- 
thies of  many  of  his  fellow  soldiers,  he  found  consolation  in 

*  Greenleafs  paper. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  351 

the  infirmities  which  were  growing  upon  him.  He  had  an- 
other source  of  comfort,  in  the  indulgence  of  the  benevolence 
of  his  heart,  and  the  liberality  of  his  disposition.  The  boun- 
ties distributed  by  his  means,  to  the  sick  and  suffering,  during 
the  trying  scenes  of  the  yellow  fever,  were  long  remembered,, 
and  the  writer  of  this  memoir,  in  a  country  far  removed  from 
the  sphere  in  which  they  had  been  disseminated,  heard  them 
recounted,  by  one  who  had  witnessed  them,  and  had  been 
herself,  a  recipient  of  his  benefactions. 

Nor  were  his  benevolences  confined  to  this,  and  similar 
occasions  alone.  In  repeated  instances,  his  means  were 
freely  used  to  open  the  prison  doors,  to  many,  whom  the 
rigorous  laws  of  the  time,  had  doomed,  as  debtors,  to  con- 
finement, which,  without  the  aid  of  others,  would  have  been 
perpetual.  Frequent  were  the  calls  upon  his  open  handed 
generosity;  and  seldom,  whether  from  Jew,  or  Gentile,  were 
they  made  in  vain.  The  following  letter,  among  many  others 
of  a  similar  character,  was  found  among  the  papers  of  Mrs. 
Tillinghast,  his  eldest  daughter;  which,  as  it  does  credit  to 
the  writer,  as  well  as  illustrates  the  character  of  the  indivi- 
dual to  whom  it  is  addressed,  is  inserted  entire  : 

My  Dear  General  Lamb  : 

Before  I  retire  to  rest,  let  me  entreat  you  to  accept  all  that 
the  heart  of  gratitude  can  offer,  for  the  friendship  you  have 
shown  to  Mr.  Nathan,  and  myself,  and  believe  that  no  period 
of  time,  however  remote,  can  possibly  lessen  the  idea  I  en- 
tertain of  your  exalted  worth,  or  lead  to  a  forgetfulness  of 
the  sensations,  which  your  benevolence  of  disposition,  this 
moment  gives  rise  to  my  now  made  happy  bosom;  they  will 
live  with  my  life,  and  end  but  in  my  death;  for  you  have  kindly 
snatched  me  from  the  black  precipice  of  despair,  and  placed 
me  in  the  bright  and  cheering  ray  of  hope.  To-morrow,  my 
husband,  through  your  charitable  aid,  will  be  set  free  from 
prison!  Thus  am  I  given  to  expect;  and  may  the  Father  of 
mercies  enable  Mr.  Nathan  to  repay  thee,  my  dear  General, 
in  some  measure;  for  he  never  can  render  ample  compensa- 
tion [for]  the  manifold  obligations  he  owes  you  in  this,  the 
present  case,  and  those  of  long  past  date. 


352  LIFE    OF    JOHN    LAMB. 

I  received  your  polite  message  by  my  friend,  Mr.  Moses, 
and  lament  exceedingly  that  you  are  in  pain.  My  prayers 
are  offered  to  the  throne  of  grace,  for  the  reestablishment 
of  your  health,  and  that  the  sweet  reward  of  virtue,  may  be 
ever  thine. 

You  will  pardon  my  frequent  addresses  to  you,  sir,  and  re- 
ceive them  as  the  warm  effusions  of  a  mind  yielding  to  the 
impulses  of  affectionate  gratitute  and  esteem. 

Good  night  my  dear  General.  That  you  may  ever  wake 
to  happiness,  and  every  earthly  blessing,  is  the  ardent,  and 
first  wish  rising  in  the  breast  of  your  infinitely  obliged  friend, 

G.  Nathan.* 

My  warmest  acknowledgments  are  due  to  your  son-in-law, 
Mr.  Tillinghast,  which  my  heart  prompts  me  to  solicit  him 
to  accept,  through  the  channel  of  this  letter. 

God  bless  you  sir, 

G.N. 
Tuesday  night,  11  o'clock. 

Gen.  LAMB.f 

In  these  pursuits,  so  soothing  to  a  charitable  heart,  Gen. 
Lamb  continued  to  employ  himself,  and  to  seek  consolation 
for  the  bereavement  of  friends,  and  for  the  ravages  in  the 
circle  of  his  political  associates,  by  the  mutations  of  the 
times.  The  success  of  the  Federalists  was  complete,  and 
many  of  those  who  had  been  ardent  in  their  devotion  to  Clin- 
ton, and  his  measures;  when  the  fountain  of  political  patron- 
age was  no  longer  within  his  control,  and  its  stream  was 
diverted  into  another  channel,  followed  the  current,  and 
joined  the  triumphant  party. 

To  one  so  ardent  of  temper,  party  defeat,  and  its  concomi- 
tants, were  severe,  and  they  were  correspondent^  felt;  but 
a  blow  was  impending,  more  momentous  in  its  consequences; 
one  fatal  to  his  peace; — which  overwhelmed  him  in  dis- 
tress, and  cut  him  short  of  the  luxury  of  benevolence.     The 

*  This  is  the  same  lady  who   remonstrated  with  Miss  Edgeworth, 
against  the  portrait  of  the  Jew,  in  the  story  of  the  "Prussian  Vase." 
t  Lamb  papers,  N.  Y.  His.  Soc. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  353 

death  of  Mr.  Tillinghast  was  unfortunate  to  Gen.  Lamb,  in 
more  than  one  respect.  He  not  only  lost  a  tender,  and  de- 
voted son,  but  an  able  assistant  in  his  business;  and  one,  who 
for  perfect  knowledge  of  its  details,  it  was  not  easy  to 
replace. 

During  the  illness  of  this  gentleman,  the  business  usually 
entrusted  to  his  care,  was  confided  to  another,  for  whose  dili- 
gence, and  fidelity,  Gen.  Lamb  conceived  he  had  ample  war- 
rant. He  had,  many  years  before,  been  importuned  to  assist 
an  Englishman,  confined  in  jail  upon  a  debt;  the  amount  of 
which  being  large,  seemed  for  ever  to  exclude  the  debtor 
from  hope  of  redemption.  Upon  favorable  representations  of 
his  integrity,  and  capacity,  Gen.  Lamb  discharged  the  debt, 
and  gave  the  released  captive  employment  as  one  of  the  clerks 
of  the  Custom  House.  The  industry,  and  ability  which  he 
displayed,  won  the  confidence  of  his  employer,  and  that  of 
his  substitute,  and  he  was  promoted  to  the  most  confidential 
station  under  the  Deputy* 

This  man,  during  the  illness  of  Mr.  Tillinghast;  upon  his 
decease ;  and  until  his  successor  could  be  sufficiently  instructed 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  business;  had  been  left  in  charge 
of  the  whole  fiscal  concerns  of  the  department;  and  in  the 
interval  of  his  supervision,  had  commenced  a  system  of  pecu- 
lation and  embezzlement,  which  was  carried  on  afterwards; 
and  by  great  adroitness,  concealed  from  detection.  Suddenly 
he  left  his  employment;  and  giving  out  that  he  had  inherited 
a  large  fortune  by  the  death  of  a  relation  in  England,  he  em- 
barked extensively  in  foreign  commerce;  set  up  a  coach,  and 
launched  forth  into  a  luxurious  and  expensive  style  of  living. 
It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  a  large  deficiency  of  the  funds 
of  the  Custom  House  was  discovered. 

This  disclosure  was  as  astounding  to  Gen.  Lamb,  as  it  was 
agonizing  to  him  and  all  his  friends.  The  defalcation  was 
utterly  inexplicable  to  him;  nor  could  the  scrutiny  of  his  as- 
sistants ascertain  in  what  manner  it  had  occurred.  No  one; 
not  even  the  most  bitter  of  his  enemies,  doubted  the  perfect 

45 


354  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

honor  and  integrity  of  the  collector;  and  many  of  these,  for- 
getting their  political  hostility,  sympathized  in  his  distress 
on  the  occasion.  It  was  well  known,  that  the  large  property 
of  Gen.  Lamb  was  amply  sufficient  to  cover  quadruple  the 
amount  of  the  deficiency;  and  in  order  to  ascertain  the  exact 
sum,  the  agents  of  the  government  called  to  their  aid  the 
quondam  clerk,  who  had  so  recently  left  the  office. 

This  unprincipled  wretch  then  unravelled  a  part  of  his  own 
web;  and  by  investigations  which  he  alone  could  make;  ac- 
counts which  had  been  passed  by  the  government  were 
opened,  and  errors  detected,  by  which  the  defalcation  was 
swelled  to  a  much  greater  amount  than  was  at  first  discovered. 

At  this  juncture,  Gen.  Hamilton  and  Col.  Troup,  the  most 
formidable  of  his  political  opponents,  called  upon  Gen.  Lamb, 
and  assured  him,  that  if  a  schedule  of  his  property  should  be 
given  to  the  government;  and  its  fiscal  agents  could  be  con- 
vinced of  its  availability  to  discharge  the  debt;  that  ample 
time  would  be  given  him,  to  raise  the  necessary  sum. 
This  was  done;  a  list  of  lands,  far  exceeding  in  value  his 
liability  to  the  Treasury,  was  given,  and  he  resigned  the 
office. 

To  make  the  security  of  the  government  the  more  assured, 
the  wealthy  friends  of  Gen.  Lamb,  offered  to  take  a  part  of 
the  property,  and  give  their  individual  bonds,  on  time,  to 
the  government;  and  this  proposition  was  acceded  to:  but 
when  each  was  prepared  to  give  security  for  the  share  which 
he  was  willing  to  assume,  the  agent  of  the  government  re- 
fused to  carry  out  the  arrangement;  and  required  a  joint  and 
several  bond  of  the  parties  to  be  executed.  This  was  not 
complied  with:  the  most  summary  process  was  resorted  to; 
and  the  property  was  sold  by  the  Marshal,  under  an  execu- 
tion of  the  government. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  it  was  sold  at  an  enormous 
loss.  Lands  treble  the  value  of  the  whole  debt,  were  sacri- 
ficed; the  family  was  ruined;  and  the  government  claim  was 
not  yet  satisfied.     For  this,  the  agents  of  the  government  were 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  355 

alone  to  blame.  Their  mistaken  policy  forever  put  it  out  ot 
the  power  of  their  victim  to  discharge  the  deficiency.  Messrs. 
Hamilton  and  Troup  did  not  see  their  fellow  soldier  thus 
stripped  of  his  property,  without  indignation;  and  both  ve- 
hemently condemned  the  course  pursued  against  him.  Others 
of  the  high-minded  and  honorable  leaders  of  the  party,  shared 
in  their  sympathy:  but  there  were  not  wanting  many,  who 
rejoiced  in  the  ruin  of  so  indefatigable  an  opponent. 

The  blow  was  struck;  and  Lamb,  from  affluence  and  ease, 
was  involved  in  poverty  and  distress.  But  the  brave  veteran 
was  not  abandoned  by  his  friends  and  companions  in  arms. 
The  Clintons,  Rutgers,  Willett,  Burr,  and  others,  stood  by 
him  in  all  his  difficulties,  and  tendered  what  consolation  was 
afforded  by  the  circumstances:  and  the  grateful  condolences 
and  sympathies,  of  many  who  had  shared  his  bounty  in  the 
days  of  prosperity,  helped  to  soothe  him  in  his  adversity. 
But  the  stroke  of  fate  was  given.  His  constitution  had  re- 
ceived a  severe  shock  from  the  agitations  which  he  had 
endured;  and  the  disease,  with  which  he  had  so  long  labored, 
was  aggravated  by  calamity. 

For  a  long  time,  he  was  a  martyr  to  the  gout  in  its  most 
distressing  form,  which  kept  him  prisoner  to  his  house;  and 
he  was  seldom  free  from  paroxysms  of  alarming  nature. 
The  frequency  of  these,  admonished  him  of  the  approach  of 
death;  and  he  prepared  calmly  for  its  last  and  fatal  attack. 
This  occurred  on  the  31st  of  May,  1800:  and  the  indomita- 
ble spirit,  which  naught  human  could  subdue,  bowing  sub- 
missively to  the  chastening  of  Omnipotence,  yielded  itself, 
in  hope  without  fear,  into  the  hands  of  its  creator. 

Thus  died  John  Lamb,  who  for  more  than  thirty  years,  had 
devoted  himself  to  the  service  of  his  country.  Few,  very 
few  men,  have  acted  more  manfully  the  parts  which  have 
been  allotted  to  them. 

As  a  pioneer  of  the  great  events  which  wrought  out  the 
revolution,  he  was  second  to  none  in  perseveranee  and  intre- 
pidity.    As  a  soldier  in  the  field,  he  was  never  surpassed  in 


356  LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB. 

valor  and  constancy,  by  any,  the  most  daring.  As  a  citizen, 
neighbor,  and  philanthropist,  he  was  distinguished  for 
his  public  spirit;  respected  for  his  suavity;  and  admired 
for  his  benevolence.  As  a  husband,  father,  and  friend,  he 
was  tender,  affectionate,  and  sincere.  Deeply  indeed  was 
he  regretted;  and  the  aching  void,  left  in  the  bosoms  of  those 
who  knew  him  in  correspondent  relations,  neither  time  nor 
circumstances  could  ever  fill. 

General  Lamb,  had  been  Vice  President  of  the  Cincin- 
nati: once  while  Baron  Steuben  was  President;  and  after- 
wards under  George  Clinton.  He  was  borne  to  the  grave, 
in  Trinity  church  yard,  followed  by  the  members  of  that  so- 
ciety. He  was  buried  with  the  military  honors  which  he 
had  so  well  deserved.  And  the  long  array  of  citizens,  as 
they  attended  him  to  the  tomb,  attested  the  respect  which 
his  virtues,  his  bravery,  and  worth,  had  universally  com- 
manded. 

The  following  obituary  notice,  ascribed  at  the  time  to  the 
pen  of  Dr.  Peter  Irving,  is  extracted  from  Denniston's  paper: 

"  How  sleep  the  brave!  who  sink  to  rest; 
With  all  their  country's  wishes  blest. 

On  Saturday  morning,  departed  for  a  better  world,  our 
much  respected  fellow  citizen,  Gen.  John  Lamb;  who,  to  the 
unbending  honor  and  martial  spirit  of  a  soldier — to  the  un- 
shaken integrity  of  a  real  patriot;  added  the  humane  and 
benevolent  virtues  of  the  true  philanthropist. 

He  distinguished  himself  throughout  our  Revolutionary 
struggle.  He  lost  an  eye  at  Quebec,  where  the  gallant,  but 
ill  fated  Montgomery  fell!  He  was  otherwise  severely 
wounded;  was  captured,  and  suffered  the  hardships  of  im- 
prisonment, in  asserting  the  cause  of  freedom  and  his  country. 

General  Lamb  has  from  early  manhood  trod  the  rugged 
paths  of  life  in  public  view;  and  though  fortune  has  not 
smoothed  his  descent  into  the  vale  of  years,  nor  scattered 
roses  in  his  path;  yet  he  has  ever  preserved  a  purity  of 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  LAMB.  357 

character,  which  even  the  breath  of  detraction  has  not  dared 
to  sully. 

Peace  be  to  his  ashes!  He  is  gone  into  the  presence  of 
that  Being,  who  will  reward  his  virtues.  The  blessings  of 
misfortune's  children,  waft  his  spirit  onward:  while  the  tears 
of  the  veteran  patriots  who  fought  and  conquered  by  his 
side,  embalm  his  memory. 


••':> 


APPENDIX 


APPENDIX  A. 

Memoir  of  Col.  Hugh  Hughes,  Deputy  Quarter-Master~Gen-> 
eral  of  the  United  States,  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

It  too  often  happens,  that  meritorious  officers,  who  have 
served  their  country  with  singular  efficiency  in  the  staff  de- 
partments of  the  army,  are  overlooked  in  history;  and  their 
names  are  lost  in  the  blaze  of  glory  of  those  very  victories, 
which  their  services  have  so  much  assisted  to  achieve;  and 
without  which  the  ablest  General  would  have  been  fettered 
in  his  operations,  and  his  efforts  paralyzed. 

A  well  regulated  Commissariat,  and  Quarter  Master's  De- 
partment, constitute  the  soul  of  an  army;  and  it  was  in  a 
great  measure  owing  to  the  want  of  such,  that  the  war  of  the 
Revolution  was  so  long  protracted,  and  the  country  so  often 
placed  in  jeopardy,  from  inability  to  move  its  forces  upon 
important  emergencies.  The  poverty  of  the  United  States 
was  one  great  cause  of  the  deficiencies  in  the  Quarter  Mas- 
ter General's  department:  but  its  improper  constitution;  and 
the  frequent  changes  which  were  made;  some  of  which  were 
produced  by  disgust  at  the  measures  of  Congress;  were  mainly 
instrumental  in  rendering  it,  at  times  inoperative,  and  at  no 
time  so  effective  as  the  exigencies  of  the  service  required. 

Of  the  many  officers  of  the  Revolution,  who  served  in  the 
armies  of  America,  and  by  their  fidelity  and  zeal,  contributed 


360  APPENDIX. 

to  the  successful  issue  of  the  war,  few  were  more  distinguished 
for  promptitude  and  efficiency;  and  very  few  have  had  so 
little  justice  done  to  their  merits,  as  Col.  Hugh  Hughes, 
Deputy  Commissary-General  of  New  York,  and  of  the  Quar- 
ter-Master's department  under  Col.  Mifflin,  arid  afterwards 
under  Col.  Pickering. 

This  gentleman  was  of  Welch  origin,  whose  ancestors 
emigrated  to  America  at  an  early  period.  In  the  year  1765, 
he  warmly  opposed  the  acts  of  the  British  Ministry;  and  al- 
though his  brother  was  appointed  Stamp  Distributor  for 
Pennsylvania,  and  sought  to  obtain  the  same  office  for  his 
son  in  New  Jersey;  Hugh  Hughes  used  every  effort  to  put 
down  the  Stamp  Act,  and  to  compel  the  distributors  to  resign 
their  appointments.  And  when  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  No- 
vember, 1765,  were  determined  to  force  his  brother  to  relin- 
quish his  commission;  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  persua- 
sives of  Mr.  Hughes  were  joined  to  the  coercive  arguments 
of  the  committee  of  that  association,  in  order  to  effect  the 
renunciation  of  the  Stamp  Master. 

At  the  time  of  these  transactions,  Mr.  Hughes  was  a  resi- 
dent of  New  Jersey;  but  he  became  not  long  afterwards  an 
inhabitant  of  New  York;  and  in  the  year  1766,  he  taught  a 
select  grammar  school  in  the  consistory  room  of  the  French 
church  in  Nassau  street. 

Mr.  Hughes  was  an  energetic  writer,  and  although  he  was 
not  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Vigilance  of  1765,  he 
used  his  exertions,  and  employed  his  pen  in  the  patriotic 
cause.  Among  the  papers  of  his  daughter  Mrs.  Stotesbury, 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  honorable  Philemon  Dickerson 
of  New  Jersey,  were  found  many  letters  from  Thomas  Young, 
(once  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  of  Albany;  and  af- 
terwards of  the  grand  committee  of  Boston),  of  date  as  early 
as  the  days  of  the  Stamp  Act;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  Mr.  Hughes,  was  the  ardent  cooperator  of  Lamb,  Sears, 
and  others,  in  all  their  revolutionary  movements;  and  the 
uncompromising  opponent  of  the  usurping*  ministry. 


APPENDIX.  361 

Mr.  Hughes's  adherence  to  the  patriotic  cause,  must  have 
been  anterior  to  that  of  McDougall,  whose  name  is  not  to  be 
found  in  the  early  proceedings  of  the  associated,  until  the 
year  1769;  when  he  become  distinctly  identified  with  the 
radical  Revolutionists,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  offer  his 
services  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war. 

In  this  respect,  Mr.  Hughes  was  little  behind  him;  and 
the  rank  which  was  given  him,  proves  the  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  by  the  Provisional  Government.  On  the 
16th  of  February,  1776,  he  was  appointed  to  the  important 
office  of  Commissary  of  Military  Stores  for  New  York,  by 
the  Provincial  Convention;  and  shortly  afterwards  was  made 
Deputy  Quarter-Master  General  of  the  forces,  under  the 
head  of  that  department,  Col.  Mifflin. 

When  the  army  was  partly  in  the  city,  and  partly  on 
Long  Island,  Col.  Moylan,  the  senior  Deputy,  was  selected 
to  act  as  aid  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  the  manage- 
ment of  the  department  entirely  devolved  upon  Col.  Hughes, 
who  was  indefatigable  in  performing  the  onerous  and  re- 
sponsible duties  required  of  him. 

At  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  under  his  direction,  the  troops 
were  passed  over  to  the  Tsland,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  day 
required.  The  signal  for  the  dispatch  of  each  detachment, 
being  a  flag  raised  on  the  top  of  the  house  at  head  quarters. 
And  after  the  retreat  was  determined  on,  CoL  Hughes  re- 
ceived by  Joseph  Trumbull,  the  Commissary  General,  a  ver- 
bal order  from  Gen.  Washington,  to  impress  every  kind  of 
water  craft  from  Hellgate  on  the  Sound,  to  Speyghten  Duy  vel 
Creek,  that  could  be  kept  afloat,  and  that  had  either  sails  or 
oars,  and  have  them  all  in  the  east  harbor  of  the  city  by  dark. 

Secrecy  was  enjoined  as  well  as  dispatch;  and  although 
the  rendezvous  was  fifteen  miles  distant  from  the  anchorage 
of  some  of  the  vessels,  they  were  ready  for  service  at  the  ap- 
pointed time.  At  noon  the  order  was  delivered,  and  at 
eight  o'clock  of  the  evening,  such  was  the  celerity  of  the 
46 


362  APPENDIX. 

movements  of  those  employed,  that  every  thing  important  to 
the  occasion  was  in  readiness,  to  be  placed  in  the  most  fa- 
vorable situations  to  secure  the  retreat.  So  judiciously  were 
the  vessels  posted,  that  no  delay  or  confusion  occurred;  and 
every  material  of  the  army  that  could  possibly  be  secured, 
was  brought  off. 

At  this  alarming  crisis,  wThen  the  fate  of  the  campaign, 
and  probably  the  success  of  the  Revolution,  depended  upon 
the  Quarter-Masters,  Col.  Hughes  never  dismounted  from 
his  horse  until  ten  o'clock  the  day  after  the  order  was  given; 
having  kept  the  saddle  unremittingly  employed  for  twenty- 
two  hours. 

Had  not  the  duties  of  the  Quarter-Master's  Department 
been  well  performed  on  that  day,  the  army  might  have  been 
lost,  or,  at  least,  its  artillerv  and  stores  captured;  and  Wash- 
ington could  not  have  been  able  to  make  head  against 
the  superior  force  which  menaced  the  city.  The  opinion  of 
of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  in  relation  to  that  service,  was 
expressed  in  general  orders;  and  in  after  times  was  re- 
iterated in  the  following  letter: 

Mount  Vernon,  August  22,  1784. 
Sir: 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  31st  ult,  from  Philadel- 
phia. My  memory  is  not  charged  with  the  particulars  of 
the  verbal  order  which  you  say  was  delivered  to  you  through 
Col.  Joseph  Trumbull,  on  the  27th  August,  1776,  "  for  im- 
pressing all  the  sloops,  boats,  and  water  craft  from  Spyghten 
Duyvel,  in  the  Hudson,  to  Hell  Gate,  in  the  Sound."  1  re- 
collect very  well  that  it  was  a  day  which  required  the  great- 
est exertion,  particularly  in  the  Quarter-Master's  depart- 
ment, to  accomplish  the  retreat  which  was  intended,  under 
cover  of  the  succeeding  night;  and  that  no  delay  or  cere- 
mony could  be  admitted  in  the  execution  of  the  plan.  I 
have  no  doubt,  therefore,  of  your  having  received  orders  to 
the  effect,  and  to  the  extent  you  have  mentioned;  and  you 
are  at  liberty  to  adduce  this  letter  in  testimony  thereof.  It 
will,  I  presume,  supply  the  place  of  a  more  formal  certificate, 
and  is  more  consonant  with  my  recollection  of  the  transac- 
tions of  that  day. 


APPENDIX.  363 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  add  that  your  conduct  in  the  Quarter- 
Master's  line,  so  far  as  it  has  come  under  my  view,  or  to  my 
knowledge,  was  marked  with  zeal,  activity,  and  intelligence, 
and  met  my  approbation  accordingly. 

With  grateful  thanks  for  your  good  wishes, 

I  remain,  sir, 
Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  Washington.* 
Colonel  Hugh  Hughes. 

Col.  Hughes  continued  Deputy  Quarter-Master  General  as 
long  as  Col.  Mifflin  retained  his  office  ;  and  when  Gen. 
Greene  assumed  the  command  of  the  department,  he  was 
desirous  to  secure  the  services  of  Col.  Hughes  as  assistant, 
as  will  appear  by  his  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

Camp  Valley  Forge,  31st  March,  1778. 
Sir: 

You  will  probably  have  heard  before  this  reaches  you,  of 
my  appointment  to  the  office  of  Quarter-Master  General;  and 
as  I  would   wish  to  continue  in  their   respective  stations  all 

*  In  a  very  excellent  book,  entitled  "History  of  Schoharie  County 
and  Border  Wars  of  New  York,"  but  which  contains  much  history  and 
many  matters  of  interest,  which  do  not  appear  within  the  scope  of  its 
title,  the  following  notice  is  taken  of  this  retreat : 

"  The  masterly  retreat  of  Gen.  Washington  with  his  army  across  the 
East  river,  from  Brooklyn  to  New  York,  is  thus  related  by  Major,  after- 
wards Col.  Benjamin  Tallmadge,  in  his  military  journal;  '  In  the  face  of 
many  difficulties,  the  Commander-in-Chief  so  arranged  his  business  that 
on  the  evening  of  the  29th  of  August,  by  ten  o'clock,  the  troops  be- 
gan to  retire  from  the  lines,  in  such  a  manner  that  no  chasm  was  made 
in  the  line;  but  as  one  regiment  left  their  station  on  guard,  the  remaining 
troops  moved  to  the  right  and  left,  and  filled  up  the  vacancies;  while 
Gen.  Washington  took  his  station  at  the  Ferry  and  superintended  the 
embarkation  of  the  troops.' 

"  Gen.  Washington  has  never  received  the  credit  which  was  due  to 
him  for  this  wise  and  fortunate  measure.  When  the  enemy  had  taken 
possession  of  the  heights  opposite  to  the  city,  they  commenced  firing 
from  the  artillery ;  and  the  fleet  pretty  soon  were  in  motion  to  take  pos- 
session of  those  waters;  had  this  been  done  a  little  earlier,  this  division 
of  our  army  must  inevitably  have  fallen  into  their  hands." — Simms's  His- 
tory, $c,  $c.,pp.  215,   216. 


364  APPENDIX. 

such  officers  as  I  find  in  the  department,  whose  conduct  has 
manifested  their  fitness  for  the  employment,  I  should  be  glad 
to  know  how  you  are  disposed  on  that  subject,  as  speedily  as 
may  be;  and  if  you  are  inclined  to  continue,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  inform  me  of  the  terms  and  conditions  of  your  for- 
mer appointment;  and  what  are  your  expectations  under  the 
new  one.  In  the  meantime,  I  doubt  not,  you  will  be  careful 
that  the  business  of  the  department  does  not  suffer.  Consi- 
derable supplies  are  expected  from  the  Eastern  States, 
which  will  be  directed  to  your  care,  particularly  from  Col. 
Chase  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Andrews  of  Boston,  and  from  Jacob 
Greene,  Esq.,  of  Warwick,  Rhode  Island;  which  I  beg  you 
will  forward  on  to  the  camp,  with  all  possible  care  and  dis- 
patch, as  fast  as  they  arrive. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most 
Obedient,  humble  servant, 

Nath.  Greene, 
Quarter-Master  General. 

Owing  to  some  disgust  relative  to  rank,  a  fruitful  source 
of  dissatisfaction,  in  the  staff,  as  well  as  the  line  of  the  army; 
Colonel  Hughes  declined  the  employment;  but  notwithstand- 
ing, continued  to  perform  all  the  services  required  of  him  by 
General  Greene,  until  his  successor  could  assume  his  duties. 

Without  any  intention  to  disparage  the  exertions  of  the 
officer  who,  in  1780,  had  charge  of  the  department  in  the 
Highlands;  it  will  not  be  deemed  invidious  to  say,  that  it 
was  not  so  vigorously,  or  so  effectually  exercised,  as  when 
under  the  administration  of  Colonel  Hughes. 

Colonel  William  Malcom,  who  had  been  commander  of 
the  post  of  West  Point;  but  on  the  marching  of  the  army  to 
the  attack  of  New  York,  in  August  1780,  had  been  super- 
ceded by  Colonel  John  Lamb,  of  the  artillery;  in  a  letter  to 
that  gentleman  of  the  14  August;  bitterly  complains  of 
the  want  of  proper  implements  at  Stoney  Point,  wherewith 
to  construct  shelter  for  the  troops  while  detained  there;  and 
concludes  his  letter,  "  we  must  have  Hughes." 

While  in  service  under  Colonel  Mifflin,  Colonel  Hughes, 
in  the  spring  of  the  year  1777;  obtained  a  furlough  in  order 


APPENDIX.  [  365 

to  visit  his  family,  then  in  Connecticut;  and  happened  to  be 
in  New  Haven,  where  Lamb's  artillery  companies,  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Oswald,  were  then  stationed,  (the  com- 
mander of  the  regiment  being  at  Southington,  twenty  miles 
north  of  the  city.)  Here  it  was  rumored  that  Tryon,  ex- 
Governor  of  New  York,  was  about  to  make  a  descent  some- 
where in  the  state. 

Reports  of  an  armament  in  the  Sound,  of  formidable  ex- 
tent, had  for  several  days,  been  rife;  but  the  point  at  which 
the  invasion  would  be  made  was  uncertain.  At  length,  it 
was  ascertained  that  Tryon  had  landed  near  Norwalk,  and  it 
was  apprehended  that  the  depot  at  Danbury,  was  the  object 
of  attack. 

As  soon  as  Generals  Wooster  and  Arnold,  both  residents 
of  New  Haven,  had  made  their  preparations  to  join  General 
Silliman,  who  commanded  the  Militia  in  that  quarter;  and 
Arnold  had  ordered  Lieutenant-Col.  Oswald  to  march  with 
as  many  companies  of  Lamb's  regiment  as  were  sufficiently 
filled,  to  the  scene  of  action;  Col  Hughes,  posted  to  South- 
ington, where  Colonel  Lamb's  family  resided;  well  know- 
ing that  his  old  coadjutor,  would  participate  in  his  desire  to 
meet  that  mischievous  functionary  in  the  field,  whose  machi- 
nations in  the  sphere  of  his  former  government,  they  both  had 
so  much  assisted  to  frustrate. 

In  this  respect,  he  was  not  disappointed;  Colonel  Lamb 
was  as  eager  for  the  encounter  as  himself;  and  they  spurred 
with  all  haste  to  join  in  the  affray.  They  arrived  on  the 
ground  at  the  time  when  the  last  and  most  obstinate  contest, 
that  of  Compo  Hill,  was  raging. 

Arnold,  after  having  intercepted  the  retreat  of  the  enemy 
on  Norwalk;  had  pressed  the  British  General  so  hard,  that  he 
had  ordered  the  marines  of  the  fleet,  and  reinforcements  of 
troops;  whose  congregated  numbers  were  nearly  equal  to 
the  whole  body  of  his  assailants  to  his  aid;  and  on  the  strong 
post  of  Compo,  sustained  himself  until  his  fresh  men  could 
be  marched  to  the  front,  and  his  worn  out  forces  relieved. 


366  APPENDIX. 

Colonel  Hughes  sought  out  Arnold  in  the  thickest  of  the 
fight,  and  offered  his  services  as  aid,  which  were  gladly 
accepted;  and  in  that  capacity  he  continued  throughout  the 
day,  bearing  orders  to  different  parts  of  the  field;  escaping 
unharmed,  the  severe  fire  of  the  enemy.  He  had  the  good 
fortune,  moreover,  to  fall  in  with  his  friend,  Colonel  Lamb, 
in  a  wounded  state  to  help*  him  off  the  field. 

Throughout  the  campaign  of  1777,  he  was  indefatigable 
in  the  discharge  of  his  arduous  duties;  obeying  exactions 
from  every  quarter;  and  the  army  under  Lord  Sterling  in  the 
south,  and  that  of  Schuyler  in  the  north,  were  both  indebted 
to  his  exertions.  After  the  battle  of  Bemus's  Height,  on  the 
19th  September;  the  depot  of  the  army  at  Albany,  being  ex- 
hausted, Gen.  Arnold  sent  pressing  requisitions  for  supplies 
of  bread;  and  the  celerity  with  which  this  order  was  obeyed 
by  Colonel  Hughes,  was  equalled  alone  by  the  promptitude 
by  which  he  secured  the  retreat  of  the  army  from  Long  Is- 
land. In  less  than  twenty-four  hours  after  the  order  was 
received  at  Peekskill;  three  hundred  casks  of  bread  reached 
Albany;  and  fearful  that  adverse  winds  might  detain  this 
supply  on  the  river;  an  adequate  quantity,  was  despatched 
by  land  from  Sharon,  in  order  to  provide  against  casualties. 

These  provisions  reached  the  army  very  opportunely;  as 
there  were  not  a  day's  rations  in  camp,  at  the  time  of  their 
delivery.  And  but  for  this  timely  supply,  the  army,  instead 
of  being  able  to  gain  the  important  victory  of  the  7th  of  Oc- 
tober, would  have  been  compelled  to  retire  before  the 
enemy. 

On  a  certain  occasion,  the  date  of  which  is  not  now  re- 
collected, a  British  vessel,  loaded  with  intrenching  tools  and 
other  munitions,  was  taken  by  en  American  Privateer,  and 
her  lading,  after  condemnation  in  our  Court  of  Admiralty  had 
been  ordered  to  be  sold.  Colonel  Hughes  applied  to  the 
head  of  the  department  for  orders  to  purchase  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  cargo,  and  for  funds  to  enable  him  to  do  so,  but 
received  for  answer  that  there  were  no  funds  disposable  for 
that  object. 


APPENDIX.  367 

So  confident  was  Colonel  Hughes,  that  in  an  early  stage 
of  the  campaign  these  articles  would  be  found  indispensible, 
that  he  raised  funds  by  means  of  loans  of  his  friends,  among 
whom  was  Governor  George  Clinton,  and  purchased  as  many 
of  the  necessary  implements  as  he  was  able.  It  was  not  long 
afterwards  when  articles  of  this  kind  were  found  to  be  requi- 
site; and  few  being  in  the  market,  the  public  were  supplied 
by  Colonel  Hughes,  without  any  advance  in  cost,  although 
the  market  price  had  risen  fifty  per  cent,  after  his  purchases. 

Some  of  his  friends  thought  him  over  liberal  to  the  go- 
vernment in  not  claiming  from  it  the  full  value  of  his  sup- 
plies; but  he  disclaimed  all  idea  of  speculating  upon  the  ne- 
cessities of  the  army.  In  after  times  he  was  made  to  feel 
that  the  public  generosity  was  not  commensurate  with  his 
own,  and  that  even  its  justice  might  be  fruitlessly  invoked. 

When  Colonel  Pickering  was  made  Quarter  Master  Gen- 
eral, in  1780;  he  urged  Colonel  Hughes  to  resume  the  com- 
mand he  had  relinquished  in  May,  1778;  and  as  the  officer 
who  had  outranked  him  at  that  period,  had  accepted  the  ap- 
pointment of  agent  of  the  state  of  New  York;  he  returned  to 
the  duties  of  the  Quarter  Master  department.  And  on  the 
31st  August,  1780,  he  received  from  Col.  Pickering  a  letter 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract  : 

"  These  principles,  have  naturally  led  me  to  offer,  and  to 
request  your  acceptance  of  the  office  of  Deputy  Quarter  Mas- 
ter of  the  state  of  New  York,  under  the  new  plan  for  con- 
ducting the  Quarter  Master  General's  Department.  This 
office  in  so  considerable  a  state,  and  which  is  the  scene  of 
war,  demands  a  gentleman  of  capacity  to  fill  it." 

This  command  was  accepted,  and  Col.  Hughes  continued 
to  serve  in  a  double  capacity,  until  the  close  of  the  year  1781, 
when  he  relinquished  the  first,  in  order  the  more  closely  to 
devote  himself  to  the  duties  of  the  second  appointment.  On 
this  occasion,  general  orders  were  issued  by  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 


368  APPENDIX. 

Head  Quarters,  Highlands, 

December  6,  1781, 
Col.  Hugh  Hughes,  having  resigned  his  appointment  of 
Deputy  Quarter-Master  to  the  army,  the  General  returns  him 
his  hearty  thanks  for  his  attention  to,  and  discharge  of  the 
several  duties  of  his  office,  while  in  service,  under  innumera- 
ble embarrassments.  Col.  Hughes  still  retains  his  office  of 
Deputy  Quarter-Master  for  the  state  of  New  York. 

H.  Sew  all, 

Aid-de-Camp. 

While  acting  in  this  capacity,  he  went  from  Peekskill  to 
Albany,  with  funds  of  the  department,  in  order  to  provide 
boards  for  quarters  for  the  army  at,  and  near  West  Point; 
and  arriving  at  the  ferry,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  after 
the  ferrymen  had  withdrawn  their  boats  for  the  night,  he 
fastened  his  horse,  and  went  in  search  of  means  of  convey- 
ance across  the  river.  During  his  absence  his  saddle  bags 
were  rifled,  and  the  money,  nearly  fifteen  hundred  dollars, 
stolen;  a  loss  which  occasioned  him  much  inconvenience  af- 
terwards. 

Col.  Hughes  continued  to  perform  the  important  functions 
of  his  office  throughout  the  war,  and  until  the  office  was  abol- 
ished in  1783.  In  January,  1784,  he  was  elected  to  the  As- 
sembly, from  the  city  of  New  York,  with  John  Lamb,  Mari- 
nus  Willett,  William  Malcom,  and  others  of  his  old  asso- 
ciates, anterior  to,  and  during  the  war.  He  was  with  Mr. 
Lamb,  associated  with  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  the  member  from 
Albany,  as  a  Committee  to  draft  an  answer  to  the  Governor's 
address  to  the  Assembly,  and  he  continued  in  the  Legislature 
until  the  end  of  the  session. 

On  the  bill  more  effectually  restraining  the  returned  Loy- 
alists, and  to  impose  a  test  oath  on  all  such  as  should  offer 
their  votes  at  the  polls;  Col.  Hughes  voted  with  that  party, 
who,  during  the  war,  fought  for  Liberty,  and  a  Republican 
form  of  government ;  consequently  he  was  opposed  by  those 
who  merely  sought  to  bring  about  a  separation  from  the 
Mother  Country,  without  much  innovation  of  her  political 


APPENDIX.  369 

institutions,  and  ever,  during  his  life  time,  he  adhered  to  the 
party  of  George  Clinton,  who  was  the  leader  of  those  who 
held  similar  opinions  to  his  own. 

The  infirmities  produced  by  the  severe  duties  of  his  depart- 
ment, induced  him  to  retire  from  the  city,  and  he  rented 
a  farm  at  Yonkers,  the  property  of  his  friend  Col.  Lamb; 
and  there,  in  order  to  gratify  attachments,  formed  in  early 
life,  and  which  in  generous  minds  are  undying,  he  undertook 
the  charge  of  the  younger  children  of  his  friend,  and  the 
present  Gen.  Anthony  Lamb,  of  New  York,  was  many  years 
an  inmate  of  his  family;  and  at  a  later  period,  from  the  same 
benevolent  impulse,  the  children  of  Maj.  Charles  Tillinghast, 
his  deceased  assistant  in  the  Quarter-Master's  department, 
throughout  the  whole  period  of  his  service,  were  permitted 
to  enjoy  the  same  advantage,  and  to  this  hour,  they  acknow- 
ledge with  gratitude,  the  paternal  care  of  their  affectionate, 
and  venerable  friend. 

Col.  Hughes  had  made  efforts  to  settle  his  accounts  with 
the  war  department,  but  such  was  the  pressure  of  business 
upon  those  employed  in  that  bureau,  that  he  wTas  unable  to 
effect  it.  Another  attempt  was  made  in  the  fall  of  1788,  but 
still  his  accounts  could  not  be  adjusted.  On  the  22d  Janu- 
ary, 1789,  at  a  time  when  he  was  absent  from  home,  a  fire 
broke  out  in  the  house  he  occupied,  which  being  remote  from 
inhabitants,  obtained  such  ascendency  before  assistance  could 
arrive,  that  it  baffled  the  exertions  of  the  members  of  his 
household  to  arrest  its  progress,  and  all  the  important  papers 
of  Col.  Hughes,  together  with  his  accounts,  and  vouchers, 
were  consumed;  depriving  him  of  the  means  of  proving  the 
indebtedness  of  the  government  for  his  services  and  expenses, 
which  amounted  to  nearly  nine  thousand  dollars. 

Col.  Hughes  made  afterwards  several  efforts  to  procure 
from  the  officers  of  the  government,  the  just  settlement  of 
his  accounts;  the  loss  of  the  vouchers  of  which,  had  been 
owing  to  former  delays  on  their  part;  and  he  offered  to  sup- 
ply the  evidence  necessary  to  establish  his  claims,  as  well  as 

47 


370  APPENDIX. 

circumstances  would  admit  of;  but  the  too  rigid  construction 
of  the  laws  by  the  government  officials,  shut  out  the  equity 
of  his  demands,  and  threw  him  upon  the  action  of  Congress 
for  redress. 

Accordingly,  in  1793,  he  presented  a  memorial  to  that 
body,  stating  his  claims,  and  the  nature,  and  extent  of  the 
services  he  had  rendered  the  army,  in  the  most  trying  con- 
junctures of  the  war;  to  which  he  appended  the  letters  of 
Gen.  Washington,  and  Greene,  heretofore  quoted,  as  well  as 
other  testimonials  of  his  merits  :  among  which  were  certifi- 
cates from  General  James  Clinton,  Parsons,  and  Gates,  to- 
gether with  others  from  Col.  Pickering,  the  principal  of  the 
department,  with  whom  he  had  last  served.  These  were 
backed  by  a  letter  from  George  Clinton,  the  Governor  of 
New  York,  whose  friendship  for  Col.  Hughes,  began  anterior 
to  the  war,  knew  no  abatement  so  long  as  its  object  survived. 

But  every  effort  to  obtain  justice  from  Congress  was  un- 
availing, and  three  days  after  his  return  from  the  last  fruitless 
journey  to  Washington,  disappointment,  and  its  concomi- 
tants, hastened  the  ravages  of  a  disease  contracted  in  the 
public  service,  and  he  died  at  Tappan,  on  the  15th  March, 
1802,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

Col.  Hughes  was  a  man  of  spotless  integrity,  and  unsullied 
honor;  sagacious  to  discern  the  right,  and  inflexible  in  his 
determination  to  pursue  it.  His  fortitude  in  the  most  trying 
times  was  never  shaken,  and  in  physical,  and  moral  courage, 
he  was  exceeded  by  none.  His  attachments  were  imperish- 
able; and  no  change  of  circumstances,  or  mutability  of  for- 
tune, could  weaken  his  friendships,  so  long  as  their  objects 
were  deserving.  He  survived  most  of  his  revolutionary  co- 
adjutors, and  in  the  close  of  his  life,  was  made  to  realize  the 
ingratitude  of  the  government,  which  at  the  hazard  of  that 
life,  and  the  sacrifice  of  his  fortunes,  he  had  assisted  to  es- 
tablish. 

Two  sons  of  Col.  Hughes  were  in  the  army  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  both  served  on  the  staff  of  Major  Generals,  in  the 


APPENDIX.  37  i 

memorable  campaign  of  1777.  The  eldest,  Peter,  was  aid 
to  Gen.  Arnold,  and  bore  his  orders  to  various  parts  of  the 
field,  in  the  battles  of  the  19th  September,  and  the  7th  Oc- 
tober. He  often,  in  his  narrations  of  the  last  fight,  confirmed 
the  reports  circulated  at  the  time,  and  currently  believed, 
that  Arnold,  actuated  by  a  stern  necessity,  pointed  out  Gen. 
Fraser  to  Morgan,  as  the  greatest  obstacle  to  the  success  of 
his  manoeuvres,  and  that  that  designation,  resulted  in  the 
death  of  the  gallant  British  General. 

James  Miles  Hughes,  the  younger  son,  served  as  aid  to 
Gen.  Gates,  so  long  as  his  own  service  with  the  army  con- 
tinued. Before  the  termination  of  hostilities,  he  commenced 
the  study  of  the  law,  and  was  for  many  years  a  practitioner 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he  was  extensively  known 
as  one  of  the  public  notaries  of  the  state.  He  left  two  daugh- 
ters, who  both  died  without  issue. 

Peter,  the  eldest  son,  was  for  many  years  Clerk  of  the 
county  of  Cayuga,  in  New  York,  and  left  at  his  decease, 
children  of  both  sexes,  none  of  whom  survive;  but  several 
grand  children  are  yet  living,  one  of  which,  Jasper  Hughes, 
is  a  resident  of  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  family  of  Col.  Hughes  is  still  farther  renewed  in  the 
children  of  the  Hon.  Philemon  Dickerson,  of  Patterson,  New 
Jersey,  not  long  since  a  representative  in  Congress,  and  sub- 
sequently Governor  of  that  state;  who  married  Sidney  Stotes- 
bury,  grand  daughter  of  Col.  Hughes. 

Mrs.  Dickinson  was  the  daughter  of  Captain  Stotesbury, 
a  very  brave  officer  of  dragoons,  who,  in  one  of  the  cavalry 
actions,  fought  during  the  war,  against  a  superior  force  of 
the  enemy,  after  receiving  several  severe  sabre  cuts  on  the 
head,  was  thrown  from  the  saddle,  and  fell  beneath  his  horse. 
Here  he  remained,  trampled  under  the  feet  of  the  squadrons 
contending  above  him,  until  the  fight  was  over.  He  was 
then  drawn  from  the  heaps  of  dead,  and  wounded,  with  frac- 
tured limbs,  and  bleeding  from  his  numerous  hurts.  It  seemed 
impossible  to  his  friends  that  he  could  survive;  but  to  their 


372  APPENDIX. 

great  joy,  and  the  surprise  of  the  surgeon,  he  recovered.  His 
face  and  head,  however,  bore  ever  afterwards,  the  marks  of 
this  desperate  rencounter. 


APPENDIX  Bf 

Extracted  from  the  American  Archives, 

1775.  Gov.  Tryon  continued  to  prorogue  the  Assembly  from 
time  to  time,  and  to  carry  on  his  intrigues  with  the  Loyalists, 
preparatory  to  the  organization  of  a  military  force,  to  be  com- 
posed of  those  citizens,  in  order  to  enforce  the  orders  of  the 
ministerial  party.  It  was  not  long  before  their  designs  be- 
came known  to  the  patriots,  and  a  determination  was  formed 
in  the  Continental  Congress  to  secure  his  person. 

Apprehending  this  arrest,  he   addressed  the  corporation, 

Oct.  13.    calling  upon  that  body  to  protect  him,  and  advising 
them,  that  if  the  design  against  his  person  should  prevail,  that 
the  fleet  would  demand  him,  and  in  the  event  of  a  refusal  to 
H.      release  him,  would  bombard  the  city.     He  requested 
the  corporation  to  take  the  sense  of  the  citizens,  relative  to 
his  stay  among  them;  and  if  they  were  averse  to  his  remain- 
17.      ing,  he  would  retire  on  board  the  Asia.     The  corpo 
is.      ration  replied,  that  no  danger  to   his  person  need  be 
apprehended,  and  requested  him  to  remain.     The  Committee 
of  One  Hundred,  assured  him  that  no  motion  to  seize  him 
had  been  agitated  in  the  Provincial  Congress.     They  hoped 
much  from  his  mediation  with  the  Ministry,  and  urged  him  to 
stay,  and  farther  said;  "  that  he  might  rest  assured,  of  all  that 
protection  from  us,  and  our  fellow  citizens,  which  will  be  con- 
sistent with  the  great  principle  of  our  safety,  and  preservation." 
These  representations  proved  unconvincing,  and  the  Go- 

Oct.  19.  vernor  replied  from  on  board  the  Halifax  packet,  that 
he  was  not  satisfied  with  the  assurance,  either  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, or  of  the  Committee.      Thenceforth  the  public  business 


APPENDIX.  373 

was  transacted  on  board  some  vessel  in  the  harbor.     From  the 

1775.  ship  Dutchess  of  Gordon,  he  informs  the  Corporation, 
Dec.  4.  that  he  has  His  Majesty's  permission  to  withdraw  from 

his  government  whenever  exigencies  might  make  such  a 
course  expedient;  and  some  days  afterwards,  he  enclosed  to 

is.  the  Corporation  the  letter  of  Captain  H.  Parker,  of  His 
Majesty's  ship  Phoenix,  declaring  that  "  if  any  body  of  men 
are  raised,  or  any  fortifications  thrown  up,  or  any  magazines 
attempted,  he  has  orders  to  treat  them  as  in  open  rebellion  ' 

23  against  the  King."  Five  days  afterwards,  the  Governor 
farther  prorogued  the  Assembly  to  the  first  of  February;  and 

1776.  that  proclamation  was  shortly  followed  by  another, 
Jan.  2.    dissolving  them,  and  the  issuing  of  writs  for  the  elec- 
tion of  a  new  Assembly,  on  the  first  of  February.     This  elec- 
tion never  took  place.     The  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  not- 

6.  notwithstanding  the  threat  of  the  Captain  of  the  Phoenix, 
resolved  that  Gen.  Lee's  troops  should  march  into  the  city, 
and    occupy  the  barracks;    and    accordingly  that   General 

Feb.  5.  marched  in,  and  took  possession  of  the  city.  On  the 
same  day,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived  in  the  Mercury  fri- 
gate.    The  Committee  refused  supplies  to  the  Mercury,  and 

e.  serious  fears  were  entertained  that  a  bombardment  would 
follow  the  refusal;  the  records  of  the  government  were 
removed  to  the  house  of  Alderman  Nicholas  Bayard,  in  the 

11.  out  ward;  and  not  long  afterwards,  the  Governor  de- 
parted to  the  Quarantine  at  Staten  Island,  to  mature  his  grand 
design,  which  is  shadowed  forth  in  the  following  extract  of 
a  letter  from  Gen.  Gage  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  dated 
Boston,  16th  January,  1776.  "  He,  [Tryon,]  seems  positive 
of  being  able  to  raise  two  thousand  men,  upon  the  arrival  of 
the  army  in  New  York,  who  may  be  rendered  very  useful, 
if  accompanied  by  his  personal  services  in  the  field."  On 
his  return  to  the  city,  after  its  evacuation  by  the  Americans, 
in  August,  he  devoted  himself  to  his  military  functions;  and 
in  the  organization  of  the  corps  of  Loyalists  above  alluded 
to,  of  which  he  was  appointed  Major-General. 


374  APPENDIX. 

APPENDIX  C. 

From  American  Archives. 

An  extract  of  a  letter  from  Captain  Lamb  to  a  friend  in 
New  York,  taken  from  the  American  Archives,  third  vol- 
ume, fourth  series,  page  1343,  gives  a  detail  of  the  surrender, 
which  is  as  follows  : 

"  St.  Johns,  November  3,  1775. 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  I  had  the  honor 
of  marching  into,  and  taking  possession  of  this  fortress,  at 
the  head  of  my  company,  and  about  two  hundred  men  from 
the  different  corps  of  which  our  army  is  composed,  about 
nine  o'clock  this  morning;  when  the  garrison,  consisting  of 
about  six  hundred  men,  marched  out,  and  grounded  their 
arms  on  the  plains  to  the  westward  of  the  fort,  (agreeable  to 
the  terms  of  the  enclosed  capitulation,)  and  were  embarked 
in  batteaux  for  Captain  Mead's  encampment;  and  from  thence 
to  be  sent  under  guard  as  speedily  as  possible,  for  Ticonde- 
roga,  Connecticut,  or  any  other  place  which  the  Continental 
Congress  may  direct.  I  most  sincerely  congratulate  you  on 
this  most  fortunate  event;  which  in  my  opinion  will  be  a 
most  fatal  stab  to  the  hellish  machinations  of  the  foes  of  free- 
dom, as  it  will  facilitate  the  reduction  of  Canada,  and  secure 
the  Canadians  in  our  favor. 

"  We  have  taken  in  the  fort  a  considerable  quantity  of  ar- 
tillery stores,  among  which  are  seventeen  pieces  of  excellent 
brass  artillery,  two  of  them  twenty-four  pounders;  the  rest 
of  them  field  pieces,  two  royal  howitzers,  several  mortars, 
cohorns,  and  a  considerable  number  of  iron  cannon.  There 
were  in  the  garrison  about  five  hundred  regular  troops,  the 
rest  were  composed  of  Canadian  volunteers,  among  whom 
are  many  of  their  noblesse,  who  I  believe  are,  from  appear- 
ances, on  the  stool  of  repentance.  And  as  you  are  fond  of 
knowing  how  we  have  proceeded  in  carrying  on  the  siege 
of  this  place  since  my  last,  I  will  give  you  a  detail  of  the 
particular  operations  since  that  period. 

"  On  Saturday,  the  28th  ultimo,  the  main  body  of  the 
army  decamped  from  the  south,  and  marched  to  the  north 
side  of  the  fort,  under  the  command  of  General  Wooster. 
We  were  joined  in  the  evening  by  General  Montgomery; 


APPENDIX.  3751 

and  the  same  night  we  began  to  throw  up  a  breast-wTork, 
(on  an  eminence  which  entirely  commanded  the  enemy's 
works)  in  order  to  erect  a  battery  of  cannon  and  mortars: 
this  battery  they  kept  continually  pelting  at  with  grape  shot 
and  shells,  but  without  doing  us  the  least  injury,  until  Wed- 
nesday morning,  when  we  opened  our  battery,  consisting  of 
three  twelves,  and  one  nine  pounder,  three  mortars,  and  as 
many  cohorns,  with  which  we  kept  an  almost  incessant  blaze 
on  them  a  great  part  of  the  day — and  likewise  from  our  bat- 
tery on  the  east  side  of  the  river;  which  the  enemy  returned 
with  the  greatest  spirit. 

"  Late  in  the  afternoon,  I  received  a  message  from  General 
Montgomery,  ordering  me  to  cease  firing  until  further  orders.- 
These  orders  were  extremely  disagreeable  tome,  when  I  saw 
some  of  my  men  bleeding  before  my  eyes,  and  dying  of  the 
wounds  they  had  received. 

"  On  our  ceasing  to  fire,  the  general  ordered  a  parley  to 
be  beat,  and  sent  an  officer  to  demand  a  surrender  of  the  fort. 
Two  officers  soon  after  returned  with  him,  and  were  led 
blindfolded  through  the  camp  to  the  General's  tent,  where  a 
pretty  long  conference  was  held;  and  they  promised  the  Gen- 
eral an  answer  from  the  commanding  officer  the  next  morn- 
ing, which  was  complied  with.  The  answer  imported  that 
if  they  should  receive  no  relief  within  four  days,  he  would 
then  send  in  some  proposals.  The  General  replied  that  he 
must  have  an  explicit  answer  next  morning,  and  that  the  gar- 
rison must  remain  prisoners  of  wTar  at  all  events;  and  if  they 
had  any  intention  to  renew  hostilities,  they  need  only  sig- 
nify it  by  firing  a  gun  as  a  signal.  This,  though  very  un- 
palatable, they  were  at  length  obliged  to  digest,  as  you  see 
by  the  capitulation. 

"  You  will  readily  excuse  the  incorrectness  of  this  scrawl, 
wThen  I  inform  you  it  is  nowT  past  one  o'clock  in  the  mornings 
having  had  no  time  to  write  before,  as  I  have  been  all  day 
at  the  fort,  examining  the  stores,  and  we  are  to  begin  our 
march  for  Montreal  this  morning;  and  my  fingers  and  sen- 
ses are  so  benumbed  with  cold,  that  I  can  scarcely  write  at 
all,  owing  to  a  north-easterly  wTind  and  plenty  of  snow, 
which  is  now  falling  in  abundance;  yet,  notwithstanding,  I 
am  not  so  senseless  or  ungrateful  as  to  forget  my  friend.  I 
am  yours,  etc.,  etc. 

"  P.  S.  My  little  company  has  been  rather  unfortunate,  as 
I  have  had  five  killed ;  four  by  the  enemy  and  one  by  acci- 
dent— six  wounded,  one  died  by  sickness — which  is  as  great 


376  APPENDIX. 

a  loss  as  has  been  sustained  by  the  whole  army,  except  in  the 
first  skirmish  with  the  Indians,  etc.;  but  this  is  what  we  must 
naturally  expect,  as  the  post  of  honor  ever  is  the  post  of 
danger." 

Such  is  the  real  history  of  the  capture  of  Fort  St.  John; 
but  in  the  same  publication  from  which  most  of  the  facts  in 
relation  to  the  siege  are  taken,  there  will  be  found  au- 
thorities of  quite  a  different  import;  and  if  the  colonial  re- 
cords of  New  Hampshire  were  to  be  consulted,  and  their 
contents  relied  upon;  some  future  historian  will  claim  in  be- 
half of  that  province,  the  entire  merit  of  the  success  which, 
after  a  siege  of  two  months,  crowned  the  arms  of  the  revo- 
lutionists. 


APPENDIX  D. 

As  Smith's  narrative  is  not  easy  to  be  met  with,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  it  may  be  interesting.  It  comprises 
from  16th  to  37th  page  of  the  London  copy. 

"  My  house  was  situated  on  the  nearest  route,  where  all 
communications  generally  passed  from  the  eastern  and  south- 
ern States,  across  the  ferry  at  Stoney  Point,  about  18  miles 
below  West  Point.  Gen.  Arnold's  residence,  while  com- 
manding the  garrison,  was  at  the  house  and  farm  of  Col. 
Beverly  Robinson,  who  had  relinquished  them  and  joined 
the  royal  army  at  New  York.  This  residence  was  situated 
on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Hudson;  a  dreary  situation,  envi- 
roned with  mountains,  and  no  way  calculated  for  the  resi- 
dence of  a  lady  of  Mrs.  Arnold's  taste;  she  being  well  quali- 
fied from  a  most  amiable  disposition,  and  very  engaging  at- 
tractions, to  be,  at  once  the  example  and  ornament  of  the  po- 
litest circles.  Being  at  that  time  but  recently  returned  from 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  with  my  family,  Mrs.  Smith  was 
equally  destitute  of  the  society  which  each  had  been  accus- 


APPENDIX,  377 

fomed  to,  in  their  respective  cities.  The  intercourse  by  land 
or  water,  from  West  Point  to  Stoney  Point,  in  the  summer 
season,  was  easily  attained;  they  were  therefore  engaged  in 
frequent  visits  to  each  other;  and  General  Arnold  was  as 
frequently  with  me,  in  search  of  those  culinary  supplies,  un- 
attainable in  his  mountain  recesses.  I  felt  myself  happy  in 
rendering  him  every  aid  in  my  power;  and  cultivated  his 
acquaintance  from  motives  of  security;  for  in  my  absence 
from  the  State  of  New  York,  my  family  in  general  were  sus- 
pected of  disaffection  to  the  American  cause;  my  eldest 
brother,  the  late  Chief  Justice  of  Canada,  having  been 
banished  within  the  British  lines  at  New  York,  for  his 
unequivocal  attachment  to  the  English  government.  An- 
other brother,  who  was  generally  deemed  an  enemy  to  the 
revolution,  and  myself,  were  also  more  than  suspected  of 
being  in  the  British  interest,  from  the  circumstance  of  my 
being  appointed  with  two  other  gentlemen,  of  the  county  of 
Orange,  a  Doctor  But  water  and  Col.  Sherrod  (by  a  very 
large  majority  of  the  electors  of  that  county),  to  oppose  in 
the  convention  of  delegates  of  the  different  counties  of  the 
province  in  1776,  the  measure  or  independence  then  recom- 
mended and  adopted  by  Congress.  Indeed,  such  was  the 
jealousy  of  the  times,  that  to  be  descended  from  English 
parentage,  or  to  possess  any  lukewarmness  in  the  rash  and 
intemperate  measures  that  the  demagogues  of  the  mob  chose 
to  dictate,  was  sufficient  to  render  the  tenure  of  life,  liberty, 
and  property  most  precarious. 

From  the  elevated  situation  I  possessed,  commanding  an 
extensive  view  of  the  capacious  Bay  of  Haverstraw,  at  this 
part  of  the  river  five  miles  wide,  I  frequently  observed  flags 
of  truce,  passing  and  repassing;*  and  I  took  the  liberty  of  re- 
questing to  know  from  General  Arnold,  if  there  was  any  im- 
propriety in  the  simple  interrogation,  whether  the  flags  were 
for  an  exchange  of  prisoners  by  cartel?  He  answered  gene- 
rally, that  in  a  short  time  the  business  of  the  flags  would  be 

*  This  was  early  in  Sept.,  1780. 

48 


378  APPENDIX. 

explained.  Soon  afterwards,  it  was  mentioned  at  dinner  by- 
General  Arnold,  that  the  flags  had  brought  letters  from  Colo- 
nel Beverly  Robinson,  who  General  Arnold  said,  was  very 
anxious  to  make  terms  for  the  recovery  of  his  estates  that 
had  been  confiscated  to  the  public  use,  and  that  Colonel 
Robinson  was  authorized  to  propose  through  his  medium, 
some  preliminary  grounds  for  an  accomodation  between 
Great  Britian  and  America.  Colonel  Lamb  of  the  artillery 
at  West  Point,  an  old  and  sagacious  officer,  who  with  a 
number  of  other  officers  of  the  garrison,  was  present  at  din- 
ner, immediately  said,  that  any  proposition  of  that  kind  ought 
with  more  propriety,  to  be  made  to  Congress,  than  to  a 
General  only  commanding  a  district.  General  Arnold  re- 
plied, that  the  communication  must  at  first  be  made  through 
some  channel,  and  here  the  conversation  ended. 

Sometime  afterwards,  General  Arnold,  in  another  visit, 
seemed  more  communicative;  he  expressed  his  detestation  of 
the  French  alliance  from  the  perfidiousness  of  their  national 
character;  ridiculed  the  solecism  and  inconsistency  of  an  ab- 
solute monarch,  being  the  ally  of  a  people  contending  for 
freedom,  who  kept  his  own  subjects  in  the  most  despotic 
and  absolute  slavery;  thought  it  was  an  unnatural  union  of  no 
duration;  and  that  it  was  not  made  by  France,  until  she  saw 
the  Americans  were  able  to  defend  themselves,  which  would 
be  more  for  their  own  national  glory.  Gen.  Arnold  then 
mentioned,  that  he  had  received  another  flag  of  truce,  and 
that  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson  had  anxiously  solicited  an  in- 
terview, to  be  more  explanatory  of  the  propositions  that  were 
to  produce,  if  acceded  to  by  Congress,  a  general  peace;  and 
happily  terminate  the  expense  of  blood  and  treasure,  that 
were  ruinous  to  both  countries,  in  the  prosecution  of  a  war 
without  an  object.  He  said  he  conceived  that  the  overtures 
made  on  the  part  of  Great  Britian  by  her  Commissioners,  the 
Earl  of  Carlisle,  Governor  Johnston,  and  Mr.  Eden,  (now 
Lord  Auckland),  were  founded  in  all  sincerity  and  good 
faith;  that  they  fully  met  the  ultimatum  that  the  generality 
of  the  Americans  desired,  but  by  what  he  could  learn  from 


APPENDIX.  379 

Colonel  Robinson,  the  present  terms  held  out,  went  much 
farther  than  the  propositions  of  1778;  and  he  made  no  doubt 
that  they  would  be  the  basis  of  an  honorable  peace.  This 
event,  he  said,  he  most  cordially  wished,  being  heartily  tired 
of  the  war;  and  he  then  complained  of  being  ill  used  by 
Congress,  and  the  executive  of  Pennsylvania,  which  had 
treated  him  with  injustice,  in  not  sufficiently  estimating  his 
services.* 

I  requested  to  know  from  Gen.  Arnold  if  he  had  informed 
Gen.  Washington  of  Col.  Robinson's  applications,  and  what 
was  the  General's  opinion  of  the  business?  He  answered 
that  he  had  written  to  him  for  directions  how  to  act;  but 
that  he  was  then  gone  to  Connecticut  or  Rhode  Island  on  a 
visit  to  Count  Rochambeau,  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
French  troops,  lately  arrived  from  France. 

Soon  after  this  conversation,  I  accompanied  my  family  on 
a  visit  to  Fishkill,  a  settlement  about  18  miles  higher  up 
from  Robinson's  house,  where  I  left  them;  and  stopping  at 
Gen.  Arnold's  quarters  on  my  return,  agreeably  to  his  parti- 
cular request,  he  solicited  me  to  conduct  a  flag  of  truce  to 
the  Vulture  sloop  of  war,  then  lying  in  Haverstraw  Bay, 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  Col.  Robinson  to  the  intended 
interview.  I  was  so  deeply  interested  in  the  object  of  this 
meeting,  as  represented  to  me  by  Gen.  Arnold,  and  the  suc- 
cess of  it  was  so  congenial  to  my  wishes,  that  I  made  no 
hesitation  to  assure  him  of  my  cheerful  concurrence;  and  in 
a  day  or  two  afterwards,  Gen.  Arnold  came  to  my  house,  at 
Haverstraw,  with  the  necessary  passports  for  my  mission  to 
the  Vulture. 

Having  himself  made  the  necessary  arrangements,  such  as 

*  At  the  time  of  this  interview,  General  Arnold  was  at  my  house,  and 
in  the  familiarity  of  conversation,  he  expressed  himself  as  follows: — 
Smith,  here  I  am,  after  having  fought  the  battles  of  my  country,  and 
find  myself  with  a  ruined  constitution,  and  this  limb,  (holding  up  his 
wounded  leg)  now  rendered  useless  to  me.  At  the  termination  of  this 
war,  where  can  I  seek  for  compensation  for  such  damages  as  I  have  sus- 
tained? 


380  APPENDIX. 

providing  a  boat  from  the  Quarter-Master,  Major  Kiers,  at 
Stoney  Point,  with  every  publicity,  I  was  surprised  that  he 
should  request  me  to  go  in  the  night.  He  begged  me  to  pro- 
cure for  him  hands  from  among  my  tenants,  that  had  been 
used  to  the  water.  I  stated  to  him  the  impropriety  of  con- 
ducting a  flag  in  a  manner  which  I  deemed  unprecedented; 
but  he  overruled  my  objection  by  assurances  that  it  was  pro- 
perly understood  on  board  the  Vulture,  and  that  the  business 
was  of  a  nature  not  to  be  generally  known,  for  the  present, 
among  the  citizens.  Having  made  the  promise,  I  could  not 
recede,  and  with  much  reluctance,  I  consented  to  go;  but  he 
had  great  difficulty  to  persuade  my  tenants  to  accompany 
me,  as  they  were  intimidated  by  the  danger  of  the  under- 
taking by  night;  nor  would  they  have  consented,  although 
promised  handsome  pay,  and  menaced  with  confinement  for 
their  non-compliance,  if  I  had  not  appeared  willing  to  coun- 
tenance the  measure,  assuring  them  that  it  was,  in  my  opin- 
ion, for  the  good  of  the  country,  which,  upon  the  represent- 
ations of  Gen.  Arnold,  were  my  real  sentiments. 

Accordingly  Gen.  Arnold  had  given  the  order  for  muffling 
the  oars,  that  we  might  not  be  impeded  by  the  boats  that 
guarded  the  shores;  a  precaution  necessary,  as  there  was  a 
regular  water  patrol,  to  prevent  those  disaffected  to  the 
American  interest,  or  tories,  as  the  friends  of  the  royal  cause 
were  called,  from  carrying  provisions  or  intelligence  to  the 
British  ships  occasionally  lying  in  the  river.  This  precau- 
tion, however,  staggered  the  confidence  of  the  eldest 
of  the  watermen,  who  bluntly  told  Gen.  Arnold  that,  if  the 
business  was  of  a  fair  and  upright  nature,  as  he  assured  them 
it  was,  he  saw  no  necessity  for  any  disguise;  or  to  seize  the 
veil  of  night  to  execute  that  which  might  as  well  be  trans- 
acted in  broad  day  light.  The  watermen  were  simple,  hon- 
est, had  been  accustomed  to  their  occupation,  and  were  my 
tenants,  in  whom  I  could  place  the  utmost  confidence;  and  it 
afterwards  appeared,  I  was  not  deceived.  Gen.  Arnold  in- 
sisted on  their   pursuing  the  business,  and   assured  them  he 


APPENDIX.  381 

he  had  the  command  of  the  militia  of  the  country  for  sixty 
miles  round  West  Poi?it,  by  order  of  Congress,  and  that  he 
would  give  a  countersign  to  the  guard  boats  that  we  might 
pass  unmolested. 

The  countersign  given  was  Congress;  thus  arranged,  no 
further  hesitation  was  made  to  gain  the  Vulture,  then  lying 
at  the  extremity  of  Haverstraw  Bay.  The  night  was  se- 
rene, the  tide  favorable,  and  the  silent  manner  in  which  we 
passed  the  fort  at  Stoney  Point,  at  the  mouth  of  Haverstraw 
creek,  precluded  any  obstructions;  in  short,  although  the 
distance  was  nearly  12  miles,  we  soon  reached  the  ship. 
On  our  approach,  we  were  hailed  by  the  centinel  on  deck, 
ordered  to  bring  to,  and  questioned  whither  bound?  I  an- 
swered, with  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  Vulture,  Sloop  of  war;  up- 
on which,  I  was  heartily  assailed  with  a  volley  of  oaths,  all 
in  the  peculiarity  of  sea  language,  by  the  officer  command- 
ing the  watch  on  the  quarter  deck,  and  commanded  instantly 
to  haul  along  side,  or  he  would  blow  us  out  of  the  water. 
Upon  coming  along  side,  I  was  saluted  by  another  discharge 
of  the  same  nautical  eloquence,  and  orders  were  given  to 
hoist  the  rebel  rascal  on  board,  which  was  prevented  by  my 
climbing  up  a  rope  fastened  to  the  main  chains,  and  so 
reaching  the  main  deck.  I  was  questioned  as  to  my  business, 
and  how  I  could  presume  to  come  on  board  His  Majesty's 
ship  under  color  of  a  flag  of  truce,  at  night?  To  which,  I 
answered,  I  was  so  authorized  by  my  papers,  which  I  re- 
quested he  would  give  to  Capt.  Sutherland,  the  commander 
of  the  ship,  and  Col.  Robinson,  as  I  knew  they  were  on 
board.  This  request,  however,  seemed  to  have  no  effect;  but 
he  poured  on  me  torrents  of  abuse,  threatening  to  hang  me 
at  the  yard  arm,  as  he  said  another  rebel  had  been  a  few 
days  before.  Being,  nevertheless,  unintimidated,  and  seeing 
Col.  Robinson  and  the  Captain,  for  whom  I  had  letters,  I 
raised  my  voice,  and  said  he  must  be  answerable  for  my  be- 
ing delayed.  Whether  I  was  heard  in  the  cabin  or  not,  I 
can  not  say,  but  soon  afterwards  a  boy  came  on  deck  and  said, 


382  APPENDIX. 

*6  the  Captain  orders  the  man  below."  He  conducted  me 
into  the  cabin,  where,  on  my  entrance,  I  saw  a  venerable 
looking  gentlemen,  whom  I  recognized  to  be  Col.  Beverly 
Robinson,  dressed  in  a  regimental  uniform.  He  received 
me  politely,  desired  me  to  be  seated,  and,  shortly,  introduced 
me  to  Capt.  Sutherland,  who  lay  ill  in  his  berth.  Col.  Be- 
verly Robinson,  having  perused  the  letter  from  Gen.  Arnold, 
apologized  for  retiring  a  few  minutes,  ordering  some  refresh- 
ment, and  left  me  to  converse  with  Capt.  Sutherland,  to 
whom  I  related  my  uncourtly  reception  on  deck;  and  his  ur- 
banity, compensated  me  for  the  incivility  of  his  officer  on 
deck.  Having  conversed  with  Capt.  Sutherland  for  twenty 
minutes  on  indifferent  subjects,  Col.  Robinson  returned  and 
introduced  Mr.  Anderson  to  me,  saying  he  was  mentioned  in 
Gen.  Arnold's  letter,  for  whom  he  had  sent  a  pass  to  come 
on  shore,  in  case  he,  Col.  Robinson,  should  be  unable  to 
accompany  me.  Col.  Robinson  pleaded  indisposition  and 
said  Mr.  Anderson  could  as  effectually  answer  all  purposes 
by  going  on  shore  as  himself.  There  seemed  no  reluc- 
tance on  the  part  of  Anderson  to  supply  Col.  Robinson's 
place,  and  he  appeared  in  a  dress  equipped  for  the  purpose; 
wearing  boots  and  a  large  blue  great  coat.  For  my  own 
part,  it  made  no  difference  to  me  who  bore  me  company; 
so  that  the  object  of  my  mission  was  fully  answered,  and 
the  great  national  ends  obtained,  which  Arnold  assured  me 
would  be  the  result  of  the  affair. 

Mr.  Anderson  being  ready,  we  left  the  ship;  and  we 
rowed  in  a  short  time  to  the  western  shore,  to  the  place 
which  Gen.  Arnold  had  appointed  for  the  interview;  this 
was  at  the  foot  of  the  Long  Clove,  near  the  low  water  mark, 
whither  my  servant  had  conducted  Gen.  Arnold  on  horse- 
back, he  being  still  lame  from  his  wounds. 

VTery  little  conversation  passed  between  Mr.  Anderson 
and  myself,  excepting  trivial  remarks  about  the  tide,  the 
weather,  and  matters  of  no  concern.  Mr.  Anderson,  from 
his  youthful  appearance  and  the  softness  of  his  manners,  did 


APPENDIX.  383 

not  seem  to  me  qualified  for  a  business  of  such  moment; 
his  nature  seemed  fraught  with  the  milk  of  human  kindness. 
On  my  approach  to  the  place  of  appointment,  I  found  Gen. 
Arnold  ready  to  receive  me;  he  was  hid  among  the  firs.  I 
mentioned  to  him  Col.  Beverly  Robinson's  reason  for  not  ac- 
companying me;  and  the  delegation  of  a  young  gentleman, 
a  Mr.  Anderson,  whom  1  had  brought  with  me,  and  who  was 
then  with  the  watermen  on  the  Strand.  He  appeared  much 
agitated,  and  expressed  chagrin  at  the  disappointment  of  not 
seeing  Col.  Robinson.  He  desired  me,  however,  to  conduct 
Mr.  Anderson  to  him,  which  being"  done,  he  requested  me  to 
remain  with  the  hands  at  the  boat.  I  went  as  directed,  but 
felt  greatly  mortified  at  not  being  present  at  the  interview, 
to  which  I  conceived  myself  entitled,  from  my  rank  in  life, 
and  the  trouble  I  had  taken  to  effect  the  meeting.  At  length, 
they  continued  such  a  time  in  conference,  that  I  deemed  it 
expedient  to  inform  them  of  the  approaching  dawn  of  day. 
Shortly  afterwards  both  came  down  to  the  boat,  and  Gen. 
Arnold,  with  much  earnestness,  solicted  me  to  return  with 
Mr.  Anderson  to  the  Vulture;  but  I  pointed  out  the  imprac- 
ticability of  effecting  his  wish,  from  the  great  distance,  and 
the  fatigue  of  the  hands.  He  then  applied  to  the  men,  who 
declared  themselves  unable  to  gratify  his  wish,  through  want 
of  strength  to  accomplish  it,  and  the  ebb  tide  against  them. 
Convinced  of  the  apparent  impracticability  of  the  attempt  to 
reach  the  ship,  and  return  before  day,  without  being  disco- 
vered from  either  shore  by  the  inhabitants,  whose  eyes  were 
constantly  watching  the  movements  on  the  river,  not  only 
from  the  forts,  but  the  surrounding  shores;  he  relinquished 
his  solicitations,  and  desired  I  would  endeavor  to  return  the 
boat  to  the  place  from  whence  we  first  embarked;  this,  with 
much  labor,  and  taking  the  circuit  of  the  eddies,  was  nearly 
effected,  (as  we  left  the  boat  at  Crane's  Island,)  when  our 
attention  was  called  to  the  cannonade  from  Gallows  Point, 
against  the  Vulture,  which  was  compelled  to  fall  down  the 
river,  and  appeared  to  be  set  on  fire.     Col.  Livingston,  how- 


384  APPENDIX. 

ever,  must  have  been  totally  unacquainted  with  Gen.  Arnold's 
designs,  or  he  never  would  have  fired  at  that  time  upon  the 

ship. 

I  will  here  request  the  candid  and  liberal  reader,  to  judge 
whether  any  man  in  his  senses,  wTould,  or  would  not,  have 
refused  to  carry  Mr.  Anderson  back  to  the  Vulture,  if  he 
knew  the  extent  of  Gen.  Arnold's  plot,  and  the  danger  to 
which  he  was  exposed,  in  case  of  discovery.  If  the  purport 
of  the  interview  had  been  fully  accomplished,  wrhy  could  not 
Gen.  Arnold  have  given  me  a  flag  to  carry  this  gentleman 
on  board  the  Vulture?  The  fact  is,  he  had  not  recovered  the 
trepidation  into  which  he  was  thrown,  on  Mr.  Anderson's 
first  landing,  from  what  cause,  let  the  reader  form  his  own 
opinion.  Julius  Caesar  did  not  discover  more  intrepidity 
than  Gen.  Arnold,  who,  in  the  many  actions  in  which  he  was 
engaged,  never  retired  without  some  scar,  or  wound,  as  ho- 
norable testimonies  of  bravery. 

On  my  return  home,  I  found  that  Gen.  Arnold,  and  Mr. 
Anderson  had  arrived  long  before.  Mr.  Anderson  having 
mounted  the  horse  my  servant  had  rode,  when  he  followed 
Gen.  Arnold  to  the  Long  Clove,  the  place  of  Anderson's  land- 
ing. He  appeared  vexed  that  the  ship  had  been  compelled 
to  leave  her  position,  and  after  taking  breakfast,  and  my 
ague  coming  on,  it  being  the  day  of  its  return,  I  was  obliged 
to  retire,  as  well  on  that  account,  as  to  recover  from  the  fa- 
tigue of  the  night,  so  that  Gen.  Arnold,  and  Mr.  Anderson 
were  left  alone  the  far  greater  part  of  the  day.  The  conver- 
sation at  breakfast  was  principally  about  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  at  New  York,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Arbuth- 
not;  the  general  health,  and  spirit  of  the  British  army,  and 
other  desultory  topics,  of  no  consequence.  Towards  evenings 
Arnold  came  to  my  house,  and  proposed  that  I  should  convey 
Mr.  Anderson  back  to  the  Vulture,  which  had  nearly  regained 
her  former  situation ;  he  saw,  however,  from  the  state  of  sick- 
ness under  which  I  then  labored,  with  a  fit  of  the  ague  upon 
me,  that  I  was  unable  to  gratify  him,  on  which  he  proposed 


APPENDIX.  385 

my  accompanying  him  part  of  the  way,  on  his  return  to  New 
York  by  land,  as  soon  as  my  health  would  permit,  on  the  re- 
moval cf  my  ague  fit;  to  which  I  made  no  objection,  as  when 
better,  it  would  be  on  my  way,  to  visit  and  bring  home  my 
family  from  Fishkill,  being  obliged  to  cross  the  river  for  that 
purpose.  He  soon  after  returned,  and  told  me  a  difficulty 
had  occurred,  of  which  he  was  not  before  apprised;  for  that 
Anderson  had  come  on  shore  in  a  military  dress,  which  he 
had  borrowed  from  an  officer  of  his  acquaintance  at  New 
York;  that,  as  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to  travel  in 
that  uniform,  he  requested  the  loan  of  one  of  my  coats.  Be- 
ing nearly  of  my  size,  I  lent  him  a  coat;  the  other  parts  of 
his  dress  did  not  require  change.  Gen.  Arnold  then  proposed 
returning  to  his  command  at  West  Point;  leaving  Mr.  An- 
derson very  disconsolate  with  me.  I  endeavored  to  amuse 
him  by  showing  him  the  prospect  from  the  upper  part  of  my 
house,  from  whence  there  was  an  extensive  view  over  the 
capacious  bay  of  Haverstraw  to  the  opposite  shore;  he 
cast  an  anxious  look  towards  the  Vulture,  and  with  a  heavy 
sigh,  wished  he  was  on  board.  I  endeavored  to  console  him, 
by  the  hope  of  his  being  at  the  White  Plains,  or  New  York, 
before  her.  Finding  myself  better,  I  promised  to  accompany 
him  on  his  way.  I  could  not  help  remarking  to  him,  that  I 
thought  the  General  might  have  ordered  a  flag  of  truce  from 
Stoney  Point,  to  have  returned  him  to  the  Vulture,  without 
the  fatigue  of  his  going  to  the  White  Plains;  that,  appear- 
ing to  me,  a  circuitous  route,  unless  he  had  business  to  trans- 
act at  that  place,  of  a  public  nature.  From  this  time  he 
seemed  shy,  and  desirous  to  avoid  much  conversation.  He 
continued  to  urge  preparations  for  his  departure,  and  care- 
fully avoided  being  seen  by  persons  that  came  to  the  house. 
Previous  to  his  quitting  it,  Gen.  Arnold  had  prepared  a  pass- 
port for  him  to  go  to  the  White  Plains,  and  a  flag  of  truce, 
for  me  to  go  thither,  and  return. 


49 


386  APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX  E, 


Brigade  order,  Oct.  8,  1781. 

A  field  officer  of  artillery  will  be  appointed  every  day  to 
command  in  the  trenches,  to  be  relieved  every  twenty-four 
hours.  He  will  pointedly  attend  that  the  fire  is  well  directed 
according  to  the  object;  and  that  the  utmost  coolness  and 
regularity  is  observed. 

The  officers  of  artillery  in  the  batteries  are  to  level  every 
piece  themselves. 
General  after  orders  Oct.  20. 

The  General  congratulates  the  army  upon  the  glorious 
events  of  yesterday. 

The  generous  proofs  which  his  most  Christian  Majesty  has 
given  of  his  attachment  to  the  cause  of  America,  must  force 
conviction  on  the  minds  of  the  most  deceived  among  the 
enemy,  relative  to  the  good  consequences  of  the  alliance,  and 
inspire  every  citizen  of  these  States  with  sentiments  of  most 
unalterable  gratitude.  His  fleet,  the  most  numerous  and 
powerful  that  ever  appeared  in  these  seas;  commanded  by  an 
Admiral  whose  fortune  and  talents  ensure  great  events:  an 
army  of  the  most  admirable  composition,  both  in  officers  and 
men,  are  the  pledges  of  his  friendship  to  the  United  States; 
and  their  cooperation  has  secured  us  the  present  signal  suc- 
cess. 

The  General  on  this  occasion,  entreats  his  Excellency  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  to  accept  his  most  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments for  his  counsels  and  assistance  at  all  times.  He 
presents  his  warmest  thanks  to  the  General  Baron  de  Vio- 
menil,  Chevalier  Chastelleux,  Marquis  de  St.  Simon,  and 
Count  de  Viomenil;  and  to  Brigadier-General  de  Choise, 
who  had  a  separate  command;  for  the  illustrious  manner  in 
which  they  have  advanced  the  common  cause.  He  requests 
'hat  Count  de  Rochambeau  will  be  pleased  to  communicate 
10  the  army  under  his  immediate  command,  the  high  sense 


APPENDIX.  387 

he  entertains  of  the  distinguished  merits,  of  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  every  corps:  and  that  he  will  present  in  his  name 
to  the  regiments  of  Augenois  and  Deux  Ponts,  the  two  pieces 
of  brass  ordnance  captured  by  them,*  as  a  testimony  of  their 
gallantry  in  storming  the  enemy's  redoubt  on  the  night  of 
the  14th  instant,  when  officers  and  men  so  universally  vied 
with  each  other  in  the  exercise  of  every  soldierly  virtue. 

The  General's  thanks  to  each  individual  of  merit,  would 
comprehend  the  whole  army:  but  he  thinks  himself  bound, 
however,  by  affection,  duty  and  gratitude,  to  express  his  ob- 
ligations to  Major-Generals  La  Fayette  and  Steuben,  for  dis- 
positions in  the  trenches;  to  General  du  Portail,  and  Col. 
Carney,  for  the  vigor  and  knowledge  which  were  conspicuous 
in  their  conduct  of  the  attacks;  and  to  General  Knox  and 
Col.  D'Abeville  for  their  great  care,  attention  and  fatigue  in 
bringing  forward  the  artillery  and  stores,  and  for  their  judi- 
cious and  spirited  management  <  f  them  in  the  parrallels. 
He  requests  the  gentlemen  above  mentioned  to  communicate 
his  thanks  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  their  respective 
commands. 

Ingratitude,  which  the  General  hopes  never  to  be  guilty 
of,  which  would  be  conspicuous  in  him,  should  he  omit 
thanking  in  the  warmest  manner,  his  Excellency  Governor 
Neilson,  for  the  aid  he  has  derived  from  him,  and  from  the 
militia  under  his  command;  to  whose  activity,  emulation  and 
courage,  much  applause  is  due.  The  greatness  of  the  acqui- 
sition, will  be  ample  compensation  for  the  hardships  and 
hazards  which  they  encountered  with  so  much  patriotism 
and  firmness. 

In  order  to  diffuse  the  general  joy  through  every  heart,  the 
General  orders,  that  those  men  belonging  to  the  army,  who 
may  be  now  in  confinement,  should  be  pardoned,  released, 
and  join  their  respective  corps. 

Divine  service  is  to  be  performed  to-morrow  in  the  several 

*  Congress  afterwards  confirmed  this  gift  by  a  resolve  to  that  effect, 


388  APPENDIX. 

Brigades  and  Divisions.  The  commander-in-Chief  recom- 
mends that  the  troops  not  on  duty  should  universally  attend, 
with  seriousness  of  deportment  and  gratitude  of  heart,  which 
the  recognition  of  such  reiterated  and  astonishing  interposi- 
tions of  Providence  demand  of  us. 
Brigade  orders,  Oct.  21,  1781. 

It  is  with  the  highest  degree  of  pleasure,  Gen.  Knox  obeys 
the  request  of  His  Excellency,  the  Commander-in-Chief,  in 
communicating  His  Excellency's  thanks  to  the  corps  of  ar- 
tillery. The  attention  to  the  public  interests  in  all  ranks  of 
officers,  in  bringing  forward  with  uncommon  labour  to  this 
point,  the  cannon  and  stores,  which  have,  in  conjunction 
with  those  of  our  good  friends  the  French,  in  a  capital  degree 
effected  the  joyful  event  of  the  19th,  merit  the  warmest  effu- 
sions of  gratitude. 

The  skill  so  conspicuously  manifested  in  the  management 
and  direction  of  the  cannon  and  mortars,  have  convinced  our 
noble  allies,  and  brought  home  to  the  feelings  of  our  enemies, 
that  the  officers  of  the  American  artillery  have  acquired  a 
respectable  portion  of  knowledge  in  their  profession. 

General  Knox  peculiarly  requests  Colonel  Lamb  to  accept 
of  his  most  sincere  acknowledgments  for  his  care  and  atten- 
tion in  conducting  the  stores  and  troops  from  the  head  of 
Elk  to  this  place.  He  also  thanks  Lieut.-Col.  Stevens  for  his 
great  exertions  at  Christiana  Bridge  in  forwarding  the  stores 
from  that  place,  and  for  the  essential  assistance  he  afforded 
Col.  Lamb  in  the  other  parts  of  his  duty:  and  Major  Bauman 
for  the  separate  transportation  of  stores  with  which  he  was 
charged. 

He  is  highly  impressed  with  the  merit  of  the  above  gen- 
tlemen, and  with  that  of  Lieut.-Col.  Carrington,  in  the  im- 
portant duties  of  the  batteries,  which  they  discharged  in  a 
manner  highly  honorable  to  themselves  and  their  country.'- 


APPENDIX.  389 


APPENDIX  F. 


Mr.  John  C.  Hamilton,  in  the  life  of  his  father,  says  that 
in  the  election  of  1784,  "  Clinton  was  supported  by  the  most 
violent  of  the  Whigs,  and  the  most  violent  of  the  Tories,  who 
had  become  Whigs."  This  assertion,  which  ranges  part  of 
the  Tories  on  the  side  of  Clinton,  is  repelled  by  common 
sense,  and  virtually  contradicted  by  himself,  in  another  pas- 
sage of  his  book.  The  election  laws  of  1777,  and  1778,  dis- 
franchised the  Tories,  and  the  Legislature  of  1784  confirmed 
former  enactments  to  that  effect.  Test  oaths  were  enjoined, 
and  administered;  and  none  who  had  openly  favored  the 
British,  (and  the  violent  Tories  must  have  done  so),  could 
take  this  oath  without  instant  detection,  and  consequent  ex- 
posure to  punishment  for  perjury.  Nor  is  it  at  all  probable 
that  any  of  the  Tory  party,  who  had  prudence  enough  to  con- 
ceal their  former  acts,  or  present  predilections,  if  they  had 
been  permitted  to  vote,  would  have  favored  that  side,  which 
had  ever  been,  and  still  was,  resolved  to  perpetuate  their  dis- 
franchisement. They  would  certainly  have  chosen  the  other 
side  :  more  especially,  as  at  this  very  time,  Col.  Hamilton 
was  striving  to  remove  their  disabilities,  and  was  publishing 
the  numbers  of  "  Phocion"  in  the  newspapers,  for  this  avow- 
ed purpose;  and  there  is  no  probability  that  any  of  these  per- 
sons failed  to  attach  themselves  with  devotion,  to  the  man 
who  was  stemming  the  torrent  of  a  just  and  natural  prejudice, 
in  order  to  emancipate  them  from  the  outlawry  occasioned 
by  their  former  acts. 

The  truth  of  history  corresponds  with  the  promptings  of 
common  sense.  The  Tories,  to  a  man,  sided  with  Hamilton, 
and  his  party,  and  it  was  the  successful  efforts  of  that  gentle- 
man to  overcome  the  public  animosities,  that  enabled  him  to 
obtain  his  election  to  the  Assembly  of  1787,  and  to  carry  out 
his  favorite  measure,  the  repeal  of  the  laws  of  exclusion,  un- 
der which  the  Loyalists  were  disfranchised.     There  he  had 


390  APPENDIX. 

the  address,  and  influence,  to  procure  the  abrogation  of  the 
most  important  part  of  those  laws;  and  by  the  accession  of 
the  great  body  of  the  enfranchised  Tories  to  his  party,  to 
prostrate  at  once  his  opponents  in  the  city,  and  to  secure  his 
election  to  the  general  Convention  of  1787,  and  afterwards 
that  of  his  friends  from  the  city,  in  the  Convention  of  the 
state,  assembled  in  1788. 

That  the  restoration  of  the  Loyalists  to  full  citizenship,  was 
in  a  general  view,  proper,  none  at  this  day  will  deny;  but  it 
was  a  measure  which  numbers  at  that  time,  who  possessed  as 
much  probity,  and  patriotism  as  Hamilton  himself,  did  deny, 
and  most  strenuously  oppose;  and  it  is  a  little  remarkable, 
that  having  it  in  his  power  to  effect  a  perfect  repeal  of  the  law, 
Col.  Hamilton  should  have  contented  himself  with  the  abro- 
gation of  a  part,  the  operation  of  which  was  to  let  in  thou- 
sands of  voters,  leaving  its  more  rigorous  penalties  in  force 
against  a  few,  who,  by  name,  were  yet  doomed  to  outlawry; 
all  of  whom  were  persons  of  great  respectability,  and  worth, 
and  who  had  done  no  more  to  merit  perpetual  exclusion,  than 
those  restored  by  him.  To  perform  this  act  of  mercy,  was 
left  to  his  political  opponents,  and  at  the  next  session  of  the 
Legislature,  on  motion  of  Samuel  Jones,  a  staunch  supporter 
of  Gov.  Clinton,  the  last  clause  of  the  law  of  1784,  was  re- 
pealed. 

That  the  Tories  could  have  formed  no  part  of  George 
Clinton's  party,  and  that  they,  and  their  influence,  were  ri- 
gorously excluded  by  the  enforcement  of  the  test  oath  of 
1784,  the  following  extract  from  Hamilton's  book,  vol  2,  pp. 
260,261,  will  disclose: 

"  These  considerations  were  disregarded,  and  this  oath  was 
prescribed.  The  election  was  thus  in  the  hands  of  a  few  vi- 
olent persons,  together  with  those  who  were  tempted  by  this 
bribe,  to  perjury. 

"  As  a  consequence,  the  representatives  were  composed  of 
men  of  similar  character;  the  most  conspicuous  of  whom  was 


APPENDIX.  391 

Aaron  Burr;  men  chosen  by  an  infuriate  populace,  in  the 
midst  of  a  disturbed,  and  overawed  city." 

What  bribe  was  here  offered?  and  who  were,  or  could  be 
corrupted  by  its  allurements?  Not  any  of  the  Whigs,  violent 
or  otherwise,  most  certainly;  for  they  were  not  within  the 
scope  of  its  influence,  and  it  must  have  been  the  Tories  alone, 
who  were  tempted  to  perjury;  and  on  whose  side  did  they 
vote,  if  any  indeed  dared  the  hazard?  Certainly  not  with 
their  proscribers;  not  with  the  men  who  were  pushing  them 
from  the  polls  by  every  effort  in  their  power.  A  bribe  must 
carry  with  it  some  prospect  of  gain,  and  if  any  perjured 
votes  were  cast,  they  were  for  the  Hamilton  party,  their  open 
friends,  and  not  for  their  bitterest  enemies. 

The  names  of  the  successful  candidates  at  the  first  election 
in  the  city,  after  the  peace,  were  Marinus  Willett,  John 
Lamb,  Isaac  Sears,  William  Malcom,  Hugh  Hughes,  Henry 
Rutgers,  John  Stagg,  Robert  Harpur,  and  Peter  P.  Van 
Zandt.  Of  these,  all  had  shown  as  much  moral  courage,  and 
endurance,  and  the  two  first  at  least,  had  as  often,  and  as 
manfully  met  the  enemy  in  the  field  as  any  the  most  vaunted 
of  the  opposite  party.  Their  moral  characters  were  as  pure 
and  untainted  as  their  patriotism,  and  the  charge  of  motives 
of  cupidity  against  such  men,  is  as  rash  as  it  is  undeserved.  As 
well  might  any  one,  desirous  of  detracting  from  the  high 
character  of  Gen.  Hamilton;  and  the  writer  of  this  is  not  so 
desirous,  (for  he  always  viewed,  and  still  regards  the  death 
of  that  distinguished  man,  a  national  misfortune).  As  well 
might  they  affirm  that  he  was  induced  to  favor  the  perfect 
restoration  of  the  Tories,  because  they  were,  or  were  to  be- 
come the  most  valuable  of  his  clients,  as  to  ascribe  the  ac- 
tion of  those  men,  to  impure,  or  selfish  motives. 

The  history  of  Alexander  Hamilton  ought  to  have  been 
written  in  a  better  spirit,  and  the  motives  of  his  antagonists 
should  have  been  judged  with  more  candor;  but  the  author, 
blinded  by  personal,  and  party  prejudice,  assails  with  bitter- 
ness all  who  opposed  him;  and  even  Gov.  Clinton,  to  whose 


392  APPENDIX. 

devotion  to  the  country,  Hamilton  himself  had  borne  witness, 
is  attacked  with  the  same  rancorous  virulence.  That  great 
man  was  a  patriot  of  the  purest  character,  and  may  with  jus- 
tice, be  placed  second  to  Washington  alone,  in  efficient  ser- 
vice to  the  nation.  His  efforts  in  the  arduous  station  in  which 
he  acted  throughout  the  war;  difficult  as  it  was  rendered  by 
the  great  body  of  the  disaffected  in  the  state,  were  justly  ap- 
preciated by  Congress,  and  the  people;  and  yet  he  escapes 
not  the  fate  of  his  cotemporaries.  While  all  the  acts  of  Ham- 
ilton are  ascribed  to  a  regard  for  the  public  good,  and  the 
most  exalted  patriotism,  those  of  Clinton,  and  his  cotempo- 
raries are  placed  to  account  of  the  most  narrow,  factious,  and 
selfish  motives. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Hamilton  in  his  laudable  ef- 
fort to  do  justice  to  his  father,  did  not  rely  upon  the  merits 
of  that  distinguished  man  alone,  in  order  to  establish  his 
claims  upon  posterity;  much  more  that  he  should  attempt 
to  draw  invidious  comparisons  for  the  purpose  of  exalting 
a  character  which  required  no  adventitious  aids.  Still  more 
is  it  to  be  deplored  that  he  should  have  suffered  his  own  pre- 
judices and  animosities  to  prevail,  and  induce  him  to  decry 
the  talents  and  services  of  others,  in  order  to  render  ima- 
ginary contrasts  more  glaring.  No  man  acquainted  with 
the  history  of  the  principal  leaders  of  the  party  opposed  to 
the  restoration  of  the  loyalists,  can  with  truth  affirm  that 
they  or  the  party  which  sustained  them,  merit  the  sweeping 
denunciations  pronounced  against  them.  Their  motives  to 
action  were  as  pure,  and  as  little  traceable  to  personal  or 
corrupt  inducements,  as  those  of  the  great  names  which  were 
opposed  to  them;  while  their  patriotism  and  devotion,  at  all 
times  exhibited;  equalled,  if  it  did  not  transcend  the  zeal  of 
the  most  exalted  of  those  individuals  who  differed  from  them 
on  that  important  question. 

There  is  not  a  name  upon  the  list  of  representatives  which 
he  denounces,  which  is  behind  that  of  Alexander  Hamilton, 
for  integrity,  for  personal  or  moral  courage,  or  purity  of 


APPENDIX.  393 

patriotism;  nor  ought  their  descendants  to  admit  such  a  pro- 
scription to  obscure  the  fame  of  their  ancestors. 

To  place  this  controversy  in  the  proper  light,  it  must  be 
remembered,  that  many  of  those  who  fought  the  battles  of 
the  Revolution,  and  a  still  greater  number  of  those  who  did 
not  bear  arms,  but  who  favored  the  cause,  and  aided  it  in 
their  several  spheres  of  usefulness;  even  during  the  war,  pro- 
claimed that  they  fought  for  independence  of  the  Mother 
Country,  rather  than  for  an  alteration  of  its  form  of  govern- 
ment. And  as  the  prospect  of  peace  grew  stronger,  these 
sentiments  were  more  openly  avowed.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  Republicans,  or  according  to  Chancellor  Livingston's  no- 
menclature, "  the  violent  Whigs"  fought  for  liberty,  and  a 
commonwealth;  repudiating  the  aristocratic  features  of  the 
English  form  of  government. 

That  Col.  Hamilton  belonged  to  the  first  of  these  parties 
was  well  known.  While  yet  the  war  existed,  he  disclosed 
his  opinions  on  this  subject  to  Col.  Hugh  Hughes,  assistant 
Quarter-Master  General,  who  afterwards  became  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Assembly,  so  obnoxious  to  his  son's  resent- 
ment; and  the  attitude  which  he  assumed  in  the  Convention 
of  1787,  affords  conviction  that  his  opinions  were  even  then 
unchanged,  and  that  he  would  have  been  satisfied  if  the  Bri- 
tish Constitution,  with  very  slight  modification,  had  been  es- 
tablished by  that  Convention.  Holding  these  opinions,  which 
if  not  at  the  time  openly  avowed,  were  very  little  disguised; 
it  is  not  surprising  that  he  met  from  the  sturdy  Republicans, 
the  most  determined  resistance.  Accordingly  they  opposed 
his  measures,  and  kept  him  and  his  party  in  check,  until  they 
were  themselves  borne  down  by  the  extension  of  the  elective 
franchise  to  his  friends,  and  their  inveterate  enemies. 

But  setting  aside  all  other  views  of  the  question,  save  that 
of  a  contest  for  political  supremacy.  The  balance  of  power, 
was  suspended  upon  it;  The  men  in  possession  of  the  govern- 
ment, had  a  natural  right  to  defend  themselves;  and  George 
Clinton,  and  his  friends,  are  as  much  entitled  to  be  considered 

50 


394  APPENDIX. 

as  pure  in  their  motives  as  were  Colonel  Hamilton,  and  his 
supporters.  The  result,  as  it  terminated  in  the  immediate 
overthrow  of  his  opponents  in  the  city;  and  their  ultimate 
prostration  throughout  the  state,  proved,  that  if  not  the  bet- 
ter cause;  the  better  fortune,  was  on  Hamilton's  side;  and  it 
justified  the  resistance  of  the  other  party,  by  the  law  of  self- 
preservation. 

The  history  of  the  bill  which  called  forth  the  vituperation 
of  Mr.  Hamilton,  and  which  he  charges  the  Assembly  to  have 
passed;  "  under  the  specious  title,  of  An  act  to  preserve  the 
freedom  and  independence  of  this  state,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses;" is  this.  A  special  election  for  members  to  repre- 
sent the  city  in  the  House  of  Assembly  was  held  in  January  ? 
1784,  to  take  their  seats  in  the  seventh  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature, one  term  of  wThich  had  already  expired.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  two  houses,  a  bill  was  introduced  in  the  As- 
sembly entitled,  u  An  act  declaring  certain  description  of 
persons,  without  the  protection  of  this  state,  and  for  other 
purposes  therein  mentioned."  This  bill  embodied  some  of 
the  provisions  of  former  election  laws;  and  the  last  section 
was  a  decree  of  perpetual  outlawry  and  banishment  against 
certain  persons  named  in  it.  In  the  Senate,  Abraham  Yates, 
a  member  ever  distinguished  for  his  patriotism,  moved  an 
amendatory  clause  in  the  following  words:  "  That  all  and 
every  person,  and  persons,  falling  under  the  descriptions 
hereinbefore  mentioned  in  the  12th  section  of  the  Act  enti- 
tled An  act  to  regulate  Elections  within  this  state,  passed 
the  27th  March,  1778;  and  who  has,  or  have  not,  left  this 
state,  are  hereby  forever  disqualified,  and  rendered  incapa- 
ble of  holding,  exercising  or  enjoying,  any  legislative,  judi- 
cial, or  executive,  office  or  place  whatsoever,  within  this 
state:  and  shall,  and  hereby  is,  and  are,  forever  disqualified 
and  incapacitated  to  elect  or  vote  either  by  ballot  or  viva 
voce  at  any  election  to  fill  any  office  or  place  whatsoever 
within  this  state."  This  clause  passed  10  to  6,  Mr.  Whiting, 
Mr.  Floyd,  Mr.  Rosevelt,  Mr.  Schuyler,  Mr.  Ward,  and  Mr. 


APPENDIX.  395 

McDougall  voting  against  it.  "Mr.  Oothout  farther  re- 
ported, that  they  had  gone  through  the  bill,  made  several 
amendments,  and  altered  the  title  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, viz:  "  An  act  to  preserve  the  freedom  and  independence 
of  this  state,  and  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned." 
These  amendments  were  adopted  by  the  Assembly,  who  did 
nothing  more  than  concur  with  the  Senate  in  the  passage  of 
the  amended  bill,  with  its  new  title  and  the  obnoxious  clause; 
and  the  lower  house  is,  therefore,  innocent  of  the  specious 
title  of  which  Mr,  Hamilton  complains.  This  bill  he  truly 
asserts  was  negatived  by  the  council  of  revision.  But  he 
omits  to  state,  that  it  passed  both  houses,  by  the  constitu- 
tional majority,  and  was  in  force,  when  at  the  election  of 
1787,  Colonel  Hamilton  was  returned  to  the  Assembly. 

Mr.  Hamilton  has  fallen  into  many  inaccuracies  in  his 
desire  to  stigmatize  the  opponents  of  his  father.  And  in  his 
attempt  to  cast  odium  upon  Colonel  Burr,  the  archives  of  the 
state  have  been  partially  consulted,  carelessly  perused,  or 
wilfully  perverted.  Acts  of  one  Legislature  have  been  as- 
cribed to  men  chosen  at  a  subsequent  period;  and  deeds  at- 
tributable to  another  Assembly  of  which  he  was  not  a  mem- 
ber, are  charged  upon  a  man,  against  whom,  as  the  son  of 
his  father,  he  had  just  cause  of  hatred,  but  to  whom,  as  an 
historian,  he  was  bound  to  do  at  least  justice. 

Col.  Burr  was  not  a  member  of  the  Legislature  which 
passed  the  bill  complained  of  by  Mr.  Hamilton.  He  was 
elected  at  the  regular  election  of  April,  1784.  His  colleagues 
in  that  Assembly,  were  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  Com- 
fort Sands,  John  Lawrence,  Henry  Remsen,  Daniel  Dunscomb, 
William  Denning,  William  Goforth,  and  Thomas  Randall. 
Several  of  these  were  Col.  Hamilton's  friends,  and  at  that 
session  advocated  measures  favored  by  him,  and  more  than 
one  subsequently  became  his  very  efficient  partisans. 

Certainly  Mr.  Hamilton  could  not  have  taken  the  trouble 
to  inform  himself  who  those  members  were  who  composed 
either  Assembly,  for  he  would  hardly  have  ventured  know- 


396  APPENDIX. 

ingly  to  denounce  men  of  such  high  character;  many  of  whom 
were  coadjutors  with  his  father,  merely  for  being  associated 
with  Col.  Burr  :  who,  after  all,  was  innocent  of  the  act  of 
which  he  complains. 

As  Mr.  Hamilton's  book  has  been  adopted  by  many  as  au- 
thentic, and  has  misled  even  Hammond,  whose  Political  His- 
tory has  now  become  a  text  book;  it  may  not  be  improper 
to  notice  another  error  into  which  he  has  fallen  in  his  details 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Assembly  of  1787,  in  regard  to  the 
answer  of  the  House  to  the  Governor's  speech.  The  Gover- 
nor had  refused  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Legislature, 
in  conformity  to  a  request  of  Congress;  and  it  was  the  wish 
of  his  friends  to  embody  in  the  answer  an  approval  of  that 
measure  by  the  Legislature.  This  Col.  Hamilton  and  his 
friends  endeavored  to  prevent,  but  were  unsuccessful.  He 
was  of  the  committee  to  report  the  answer;  and  to  his  report, 
Richard  Varrick,  the  Speaker,  offered  an  amendment,  which 
gave  the  sanction  of  the  House  to  the  course  pursued  by  the 
executive. 

Mr.  Hamilton  asserts  that  the  Speaker,  Richard  Varrick, 
withdrew  his  motion,  and  that  Gen.  Malcom  offered  his 
amendment  as  a  substitute.  The  following  is  an  extract 
from  the  Journals  of  the  House,  in  relation  to  the  adoption 
of  the  answer  reported  by  Mr.  Hamilton  from  the  committee 
appointed  to  draft  the  address,  the  first  paragraph  of  which 
was  as  follows:  "  We,  the  representatives  of  the  people  of 
the  State  of  New  York  in  Assembly,  beg  leave  to  assure  your 
Excellency  that  the  several  important  matters  mentioned  in 
your  Excellency's  speech,  and  communicated  in  the  papers 
that  accompany  it,  shall,  in  the  course  of  the  session,  engage 
our  serious  attention." 

That  the  said  paragraph  having  been  read,  Mr.  Speaker 
(Richard  Varrick)  made  a  motion  that  after  the  word  "leave," 
the  following  words  should  be  inserted,  viz:  "  to  express  our 
approbation  of  your  Excellency's  conduct  in  not  convening 
the  Legislature  at  an  earlier  period." 


APPENDIX.  397 

And  at  the  same  time,  that  Mr.  Marconi  made  a  motion 
that  as  a  farther  amendment,  the  following  words  should  be 
added  to  the  first  paragraph  of  the  address,  after  the  word 
"  attention,"  viz:  "  We  learn  by  a  resolution  of  the  United 
States  in  Congress  assembled,  accompanying  your  Excellen- 
cy's speech,  that  the  law  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  this 
State  at  their  last  session,  has  not  been  considered  by  that 
honorable  body  as  a  compliance  with  their  act  of  the  18th 
April,  1783;  and  that  they  had  recommended  to  the  execu- 
tive of  this  State  to  convene  the  Legislature,  to  take  under 
their  consideration  that  very  important  subject.  Although 
our  inclination,  as  well  as  the  persuasion  that  it  is  the  senti- 
ments of  our  constituents,  will  dispose  us  on  all  occasions  to 
manifest  the  most  respectful  attention  to  the  recommendation 
of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled;  yet  when  we 
consider  the  short  space  of  time  between  the  passing  of  the 
said  resolution  and  the  period  appointed  by  law  for  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Legislature;  the  expense  which  an  extraordinary 
meeting  would  have  occasioned,  and  the  great  inconvenience 
to  which  the  members  would  thereby  have  been  subjected; 
we  are  of  opinion  that  your  Excellency  was  justifiable  in 
forbearing  to  convene  the  Legislature  until  the  time  appointed 
by  law." 

Here  is  evidence  that  Varrick's  amendment  was  not  with- 
drawn, and  that  Malcom's  amendment  was  not  offered  as  a 
substitute  for  Varrick's,  but  in  addition  and  confirmation  of 
•  the  sentiments  expressed  in  it.  For  Malcom's  resolution,  the 
first  put,  Varrick  voted;  but  it  was  lost;  and  he  sustained  his 
own  motion,  when  next  offered,  for  which  Malcom  voted; 
while  Mr.  Hamilton  voted  against  Malcom's,  and  also  against 
Varrick's  amendments;  in  which  last  vote  he  was  sustained 
by  C.  Livingston,  Bayard,  Brooks,  Gordon,  J.  Livingston, 
Sickles,  Dongan,  and  Denning.  The  last  gentleman  was 
a  member  of  the  Assembly  of  1784-5,  with  Col.  Burr,  and 
is  one  of  those  who  comes  within  the  scope  of  the  anathema 
of  Mr.  Hamilton. 


CORRECTION. 

After  page  362  had  been  printed,  J.  R.  Simms,  Esq.,  of  Fultonville, 
furnished  the  publisher  with  conclusive  evidence  that  the  retreat  from 
Long  Island  was  on  the  29th  August,  and  not  on  the  27th.  as  stated  in 
the  memoir  of  Col.  Hughes.  The  order  mentioned  was  given  immedi- 
ately after  the  retreat  was  determined  on  in  the  council  of  war,  which 
was  held  on  the  29th  August:  and,  therefore,  the  recollections  of  both 
Gen.  Washington  and  Col.  Hughes  are  erroneous. 


INDEX 


Abercrombie,  colonel,  at  Yorktown:  storms  French  redoubts:  his  war 

cry,  281. 
Abeel,  John  and  James,  affidavits  of,  26. 
Abraham,  Plains  of:  Montgomery  and  Arnold  arrive  at,  123. 
Adair,  Robert,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Allen,  Ethan,  with  Arnold  at  Ticonderoga,  126. 
Alliance  with  France,  diversity  of  opinions  on,  242. 
Allicoke,  Joseph,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 
Ailing,  Stephen,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  125. 
Allison,  Patrick,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Ambuscade,  French  Frigate,  arrives  at  Charleston  with  envoy,  339. 

At  New  York :  officers  feasted :  sails  on  a  cruise :  again  ar- 
rives, 340. 

Is  challenged  by  the  Boston :  sails  to  meet  her :  battle  off  the 
Hook,  and  the  Boston  beaten,  341. 
Anderson,  James,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 

Andre  John,  adjutant-general  of  the  British  army:  meets  Arnold:  con- 
cealed at  Smith's  house,  258. 
Arms  of  Sons  of  Liberty  seized  by  collector  of  New  York,  95. 

Demanded,  and  threats  of  vengeance  from  the  Mohawks,  95. 
Army  of  France  land  at  Rhode  Island,  242. 

At  Yorktown,  278. 

Efficient  cooperation  there,  279. 
Arnold,  Benedict,  colonel:  with  Allen  at  Ticonderoga,  126. 

Joined  by  Montgomery  at  Point  au  Tremble,  123. 

Before  Quebec :  joined  by  Lamb's  company :  assault  on  Que- 
bec, 127. 

Leads  his  forlorn  hope:  is  wounded  and  retires,  130. 

Defeats  a  detachment  from  Quebec:  superseded  in  command 
by  Wooster:  takes  command  in  Montreal,  142. 

At  Reading  with  Wooster,  157. 

At  Ridgefield,  158. 

Intercepts  Tryon's  retreat,  and  attacks  him,  159. 

Compo  battle,  160. 


400  INDEX. 

Arnold,  Benedict,  colonel:  march  to  Fort  Stanwix,  170. 
Letter  to  Lamb,  171. 
His  horses  detained,  172. 
Arrives  at  Washington's  camp,  245. 
At  West  Point,  246. 

Letter  of  Moody  to:  wishes  irons  taken  off  Moody,  247, 
Retracts  his  order,  250. 

Complies  with  Hays'  requisition  for  wood  cutters,  251. 
Visits  at  Smith's  house  at  Haverstraw:  Letter  to  Lamb,  256. 
Sends  Smith  on  board  the  Vulture  for  Andre:   meets  them  at 

the  Long  Clove,  258. 
Arranges  his  business  with  Andrr :  disconcerted  by  the  firing 

upon  the  Vulture:  invites  Washington  to  Breakfast,  259. 
Receives  notice  of  Andre's    capture:  escapes  on  board  the 

Vulture:  his  bombastic  addresses,  268,  269. 
Sketch  of,  and  surmises  of  the  probable  causes  of  his  defec- 
tion, 269,  270. 
Arnold,  Mrs.  Margaret,  wife  of  Benedict,  arrival  at  Robinson's  house,  256. 
Her  alarm  at  the  news  of  Andre's  capture:  well  played  scene 

to  deceive  Washington,  261. 
A  pensioner  of  the  Queen  of  England,  270. 
Arnold,  Hannah,  sister  of  the  general,  153. 
Arnold,  Fort:  the  first  redoubt  at  West  Point  so  called,  206. 
Articles  of  Union  formed  by  Sons  of  Liberty,  and  sent  to  the  east  and 

south,  19. 
Artillery:  brass  removed  from  Salem,  98. 
Henry  Knox,  colonel  of,  136. 
Brigadier-general  of,  149. 

Ordered  to  be  removed  to  the  North  River,  196. 
To  Valley  Forge,  197. 
Stopped  on  the  river,  199. 
Ordered  south,  277. 
Efficiency  at  Yorktown,  280. 
Complimented  in  general  orders,  281. 
Heavy,  left  on  the  Delaware:  field,  ordered  to  camp,  282, 
Ashton,  Joseph,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment,  150. 
Asia,  man  of  war:  her  boat  destroyed,  107. 
Fires  on  the  city,  108. 
Her  boat  fired  upon,  108. 
Assembly,  Colonial,  prorogued,  34,  35,  46,  106. 

Declines  complying  with  the  mutiny  bill,  34. 
Bold  attitude  of,  35. 

Becomes  alarmed  and  grants  supplies:  compensates   major 
James:  its  functions  abolished,  39. 


INDEX.  401 

Assembly,  colonial,  about  to  expire  grants  farther  supplies:  dissolved, 
and  writs  for  a  new  election,  40. 
New  assembly  chosen:  address  parliament,  42. 
Refused  permission  to    read  Massachusetts  letter:    remon- 
strate thereat,  43, 
Against  the  governor's  interference,  45. 
Grant  farther  supplies,  46. 

New  assembly  meet:  governor  Colden  demands  farther  sup- 
plies, 49. 
Vote,  Philip  Schuyler  alone  dissenting,  certain  handbills  li- 
bellous: offer  a  reward  for  the  discovery  of  the  writer:  order 
Lamb  before   the  house:  he  is  examined  and  discharged : 
full  compliance  with  the  mutiny  bill  yielded,  51. 
Reject  the  bill  for  elections  by  ballot,  53. 
Loyal  to  the  king,  87. 
Vote  down  the  patriots  and  adjourns. 
Assembly,  state,  first  election  of  members  for  the  city,  1784,  296. 

Resent  outrage  upon  the  French  officers:  refuse  imposts  to 
congress :  debates  upon  the  answer  to  the  governor's  speech, 
300. 
Atherton,  Joshua,  letter  from,  opposing  the  adoption  of  the  federal  con- 
stitution, 313. 
Augenois  and   Deux  Ponts  regiments,  presented  by  Washington  with 

brass  guns  captured  by  them  in  the  redoubt,  281. 
Auxiliaries  from  France,  arrival  of,  242. 

Bancker,  Flores,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 
Bank  of  New  York,  articles  of  association,  297. 

Incorporated,  339. 
Barracks  required  under  mutiny  act,  30 
Batteries  at  St.  Johns  changed,  14. 

Fire  from  destructive,  114. 
Battles:  of  Golden  Hill,  56. 

New  Jail,  58. 

Of  Lexington,  101. 

Ridgefield  and  Compo,  159,  160. 

Monmouth,  202. 

Springfield,  New  Jersey,  239. 

Green  street,  Albany,  332. 
Berrien,  John,  wounded  by  soldiers,  32. 

Berrien,  John  Jun.  and  Cornelius,  their  affidavits,  33, 
Bickers,  Henry,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4. 
Bills  of  credit:  proposition  of  governor  Colden  to  issue,  49, 

Opposed  by  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  50. 
51 


402  INDEX. 

Bills  of  credit:  city  delegation  vote  for  issue,  50. 

Proposition  of  assembly  of  1784  to  issue,  countenanced  by  the 
old  members  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  297. 
Benning,  Benjamin,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Bloomfield,  Joseph,  chairman  of  a  meeting  at  Burlington,  N.  J.,  290. 

Major  general  in  war  of  1812,  290. 
Boardley,  S.  Jun.,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Bogert,  John  Jun.,  justice  of  the  peace  colonial,  25. 
Bolton,  John,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Bompard,  captain  of  the  French  frigate  Ambuscade,  341. 

Accepts  the  challenge  of  Courtney:  meets  the  Boston  and  is 
victorious,  341. 
Bordley  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Boston  sympathizes  with  New  York,  40. 

Port  closed:  rumors  from,  44 

Sympathies  of  New  York  for:  Massachusetts  sheriff  burnt  in 
effigy,  45. 

Resolves  not  to  relax  non-importation  so  long  as  there  is  a 
shadow  of  duty  on  tea,  68. 

Relaxes  and  imports,  70. 

Tea  ships  arrive,  78. 

Tea  destroyed,  80. 

Renews  non  importation  league,  84. 

Proposes  a  convention,  93. 

Rumors  of  bombardment,  94. 
Boston,  English  frigate,  Courtney  commander:  decoys  French  officers  on 
board:  sends  a  challenge  to  Bompard  of  the   Ambuscade: 
fight  off  the  hook:  Courtney  killed  and  Boston  escapes,  341. 
Bradford,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Pennsylvania,  4. 

Letter  from,  25. 
Brant  and  Butler:  rumors  of  invasion,  169. 

Incursions  of,  245,  272. 
Brasher,  Ephraim,  affidavit  of,  33. 
Brown,  major  Arthur,  insolence  of,  33. 
Brush,  Thomas,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Burke,  iEdanus,  opposes  the  institution  of  Cincinnati,  295. 

Opposes  constitution  without  amendment,  308. 
Burlington,  officers  at,  address  letter  to  general  Washington,  285. 

His  reply,  287. 

Citizens  of,  address  officers,  290. 
Burns's  coffee  house,  meeting  at,  14. 
Burrowes,  Jo.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Connecticut,  4. 

Campaign,  extravagant,  planned  by  congress,  240. 


INDEX.  403 

Cairns,  William,  partner  of  Lamb,  absconds,  9 
Campbell,  colonel,  marches  on  Fort  Montgomery,  175. 

Is  killed,  176. 
Campbell,  colonel  Donald,  quarter-master-general  northern  army:  com- 
mands after  the  death  of  Montgomery:  orders  retreat,  128. 

Anathematized  by  prisoners,  135. 
Cannonade  on  Quebec  does  little  injury,  124. 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  attempts  to  relieve  Fort  St.  John:  defeated  at  Longue- 
ile,  115. 

His  design  to  defeat  escape  of  prisoners:  humane  treatment 
of,  137. 

Sallies  from  Quebec  and  raises  blockade,  142. 

Paroles  the  prisoners,  145. 

Succeeds  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  287. 
Cap  of  Liberty  erected  on  the  flag-staff  of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  340. 
Carrington,  colonel  Edward,  letter  from,  228. 

At  Yorktown,  278. 
Chamblee  taken  by  Livingston  and  Brown,  113. 
Chambers,  Rowland,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Chambers,  captain,  expected  with  tea:  arrives:  persists  in  declaring  that 
he  has  none  on  board,  82. 

His  hatches  opened  and  the  tea  cast  into  the  dock,  83. 
Chamier,  D.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Charon,  British  frigate  burnt  at  Yorktown,  279. 
Chase,  Samuel,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 

Letter  from  opposing  the  adoption  of  the  federal  constitution, 
310. 
Chase,  Thomas,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 

Cheeseman,  captain,  killed  at  Quebec:  his  presentiment  of  death,  128. 
Cedars,  disaster  at,  142. 
Cedar  Point,  Tryon  lands  at,  154. 

Cincinnati,  order  of  instituted:  origin  ascribed  to  general  Knox:  draft 
of  the  constitution  in  hand  writing  of  major  Shaw,  294. 

Opposed  as  an  incipient  order  of  nobility:  fear  not  well  found- 
ed, 295. 
Citizens  defend  their  liberty  pole,  37. 

Defend  the  acts  of  the  assembly,  4. 

Some  of  them  arrested  by  soldiers,  73. 
Citizen,  term  adopted  from  French  revolutionists  introduced;  applied  to 

President  Washington,  345. 
Clinton,  fort  of,  commanded  by  James  Clinton,  173. 

Congress  appoint  George  Clinton  to,  174. 

Stormed  and  taken,  176. 
Clinton,  Gen.  James,  commands  in  Fort  Clinton,  175. 


404  INDEX. 

Clinton,  general  James:  defends  it  bravely,  wounded,  and  escapes,  176. 

Anecdote  of  his  escape,  177. 
Clinton,  De  Witt,  letter  from,  opposing  constitution  unless  amended,  316. 

Mediates   in  a  quarrel   between   commodore   Nicholson  and 
Hamilton,  347. 
Clinton,  George,  brigadier-general  and  governor  of  New  York:  elected 
to  command  Highland  forts  by  congress,  174. 

Throws  himself  into    Fort  Montgomery  and  bravely  defends 
it,  176. 

Cuts  his  way  through  the  enemy:  anecdote  of  his  escape,  177. 

Designs  to  retake  the  posts,  186. 

Fortifications  of  the  Highlands  entrusted  to,  196. 

Desponding  letter  from,  216. 

Letter  from,  282. 

His  opinion  of  the  Vermonters,  283. 

His  great  activity  in  the  public  service  288. 

Refuses  to  call  a  special  session  of  the  legislature  at  the  in- 
stance of  congress:  debates  on  answer  to  his  speech,  301. 

Defeated  in  New  York:  elected  a  delegate  to  the  state  con- 
vention from  Ulster,  314. 

Letter  from,  opposing  constitution  unless  amended,  315. 

Doubts  of  his  sincerity  in  his  proposition  to  call  a  new  con- 
vention unfounded,  316 

Contested  election  with  Jay:  successful  in,  339. 

Receives  three  votes  from  Virginia  for  vice  president,  1789, 
328. 

Receives  fifty  votes  for  vice  president  in  1792,  339. 

Orders  ships  of  war  below  Governor's  Island:  declines  being 
again  candidate  for  governor,  346. 
Clothing  obtained  for  the  troops  at  Montreal,  123. 

Cockade,  tri-colored  worn  by  Oswald  in  New  York:  by  French  party  of 
citizens,  who  wished  it  adopted  in  the  national  uniform,  345. 
Clockmaker  at  Quebec  an  engineer,  137. 

Colden,  Cadwallader,    lieutenant-governor;    warlike  demonstrations  of-, 
burnt  in  effigy,  15. 

Declares  he  will  not  issue  stamps,  16. 

Assembly  refuses  compensation  to,  32. 

Power  devolved  on,   by  the  death  of  Sir  H.  Moore,  the  go- 
vernor, 47. 

Not  noticed  in  the  toasts  of  the  meeting  of  1st  November, 
1769,  48. 

Demands  supplies  under  the  mutiny  act;  coalesces  with  the 
Delanceys;  proposes  the  emission  of  bills  of  credit,  49. 

Great  expectation  of  from  committee  of  fifty-one,  89. 


INDEX.  405 

Colden,  Cadwallader,  rejoices  at  the  vote  of  the  assembly  against  the 
congress  of  1774:  pretends  that  no  troops  are  expected  in 
the  city,  104. 
Commissary,  Scotch,  at  Quebec;  his  humane  suggestions,  152. 
Committee  of  vigilance  of  31st  October,  1765,  14 

Of  merchants  relax  the  non-importation  league,  65. 

Disapprove  of  the  denunciation  of  Rhode  Island,  67. 

Rebuke  the  committee  of  vigilance,  68. 

Abandon  the  league:  are  denounced  at  Albany,  69. 

Of  fifty-one  how  chosen :  their  designs  explained  by  Gouverneur 

Morris,  87. 
Rivington's  hopes  of  them,  89. 
Interfere  with  committee  of  vigilance,  92. 
Denounce  meeting  in  the  fields:  become  alarmed  and  propose 

a  general  convention,  93. 
Recommend  a  choice  of  delegates  to  congress  of  1774y  100. 
Of  one  hundred  chosen:  address  lord  mayor  of  London  and, 

lieutenant-governor  Colden,  102. 
Deny  the  report  of  the  declaration  of  independence  by  con- 
gress, 107. 
Compo,  battle  of,  159,  160. 

Conckling,  Cornelius,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Confederation,  old:  imperfect  and  inefficient  for  government,  300. 
Congress  of  1765,  12. 

Provincial,  100. 

Of  1774-5  pass  resolves  of  non  importation,  95. 

Advise  not  to  resist  the  landing  of  British  troops:  recommend 

provisions  of  munitions  of  war,  105. 
Resolutions  of,  148. 
Gigantic  scheme  of,  210. 
Inactivity  of,  288. 

Pass  resolves  requesting  governor  Clinton  to  call  special  meet- 
ing of  the  legislature,  300. 
Connecticut  orders  provision  of  arms  and  ammunition,  97. 
Troops  of,  march  into  New  York,  106. 
Lamb's  Regiment  recruited  in,  149. 
Consolidationists,  term  of,  applied  to  friends  of  the  constitution  as  adopt- 
ed, 318. 
Constitution  Fort,  first  fortification  in  the  Highlands,  172. 

Summoned  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton:  flag  fired  upon:  and  evacu- 
ated :  merely  a  laboratory,  185. 
Federal,  adopted  in  convention  at  Philadelphia:  general  dis- 
content: pronounced  anti-federal,  305. 


406  INDEX. 

Constitution,  federal,  society  formed  to  oppose  unless  amended,  306. 

Ratified  by  state  convention,  1788,  318. 

Amended  by  congress,  329. 
Consul  of  France  complains  of  insult  to  French  officers,  300, 
Convention  at  Saratoga,  Gates  blamed  for,  187. 
Convention,  general,  recommended  by  congress:  sits  at  Philadelphia,  301 . 

Yates,  Lansing,  and  Hamilton  delegates  to  302. 

Sits  with  closed  doors:  Lansing  and  Yates  secede  from:   forms 
a  constitution:  signed  by  Hamilton  in  behalf  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  305. 
Cornwallis  Lord,  defeats  Gates  at  Camden,  255. 

Checked  by  Greene,  273. 

Invested  at  Yorktown,  278. 

Capitulates,  280. 
Covenhoven,  Peter  Jun.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4. 
Custom  houses  established,  40. 

Closed  in  New  York,  102. 
Customs,  collector  of  seizes  arms  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  96. 


Dallas,  Alexander  J.,  his  report  to  governor  Mifflin  misunderstood,  343. 

Danbury  burnt,  157. 

Davis,  captain,  brings  stamps,  16. 

Declaratory  act,  1765,  38. 

Resisted  by  Massachusetts:  by  New  York,  38. 

De  Lancey,  Peter,  stamp  distributor  of  New  York:  refuses  to  act,  21. 

Delegates  to  the  convention  and  congress  of  1774:  their  sentiments  de- 
clared, 94. 
Elected,  100. 

Democratic  party  synonymous  with  republican:  societies  formed,  345. 

Denning,  William,  member  of  assembly  of  1787,  302. 

Deserters  from  Montgomery's  army  defeat  the  first  plan  of  the  attack,  127. 

Destruction  of  major  James's  property,  1765,   compensated  by  assem- 
bly, 16. 

Deux  Ponts  and  Augenois'  regiments,  presented  with  guns  by  general 
Washington,  281. 

Diamond,  cape,  124. 

Design  on  Bastion  at,  127. 

Disputes  between  Colonels  Pickering  and  Hay  relative  to  forage:  ad- 
justed by  arbitration:  award  paid  by  congress,  276. 

Dongan,  Mr.,  of  the  assembly  of  1787, 

Doughty,  Captain  John,  letter  from,  195. 

Drummer  boy  at  Fort  Montgomery,  177. 

Duer,  William,  letter  from,  246. 


INDEX.  407 

Dunlap's  history,  useful,  8. 

His  declaration  respecting  the  adoption  of  the  constitution, 
328. 
Dunmore,  Lord  governor,  arrives,  70. 

Assembly  subservient  to,  71. 

Removed  to  Virginia,  74. 
Dunscomb,  James,  his  affidavit,  26. 
Durkee,  John,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Connecticut,  4. 
Du  Simitiere,  Paul,  translates  the  manifesto  of  Congress,  102. 

His  letter  to  Lamb,  211,  215. 

Effect  of  Confinement  upon  the  mind,  138. 
Election  of  delegates  to  congress  of  1774,  100. 

General  convention,  301 

State  convention,  315. 
Enlistments  for  short  periods  produce  evil  in  the  army,  123. 
Escalade  of  Quebec  resolved  on,  126. 

Postponed:  and  attempted,  127. 
Enquiry,  court  of,  in  regard  to  the  loss  of  the  Highland  forts,  107. 
Exchange,  fair  at,  18  = 

Febiger,  a  prisoner  at  Quebec,  140. 

Lieutenant-colonel  at  storming  of  Stoney  Point,  224. 
Federalists,  each  party  claims  to  be,  306. 

Of  Albany  fire  guns  on  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  by 
Virginia,  317. 

Battle  with  their  opponents  in  Green  street,  322. 

Those  of  New  York  attack  Greenleaf 's  office,  322. 

Design  to  attack  the  home  of  Lamb,  322. 
Federal  Party  lean  to  England:  execrate  French  Jacobins,  339. 

Apply  that  term  to  their  adversaries,  346. 
Fire  of  the  beseigers  of  Quebec  ineffectual,  124. 
Flag  staff  erected  4th  June,  66. 

Governor  Moore  attends,  28. 

Torn  down,  33. 

Rejected,  33. 

Destroyed,  37. 

Reinstated,  37. 

Soldiers  attack:  citizens  defend,  37. 

On  the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  surmounted  with  cap  of  liberty: 
tri-colored  flag  hoisted:  torn  down:  and  replaced,  346. 
Fleet,  French,  reported  off  the  Hook,  228. 

Arrive  and  sail  for  Rhode  Island,  242. 

Arrives  at  New  York,  342. 


408  INDEX. 

Floyd,  "William,  in  favor  of  restoring  the  loyalists,  297. 

Candidate  for  lieutenant-governor,  346. 
Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton  erected,  173. 

Stormed,  176. 
Foy    colonel,   adjutant-general  at   Quebec:  his  kindness  to   American 

prisoners,  145. 
Fox,  Daniel,  Son  of  Liberty,  Maryland,  4. 
French  consul  complains  of  insult  to  the  officers  of  his  nation,  300. 

Land  forces:  objections  of  American  officers  against,  242. 

Mistaken  views,  243. 

Officers  insulted  in  the  city,  299. 

Party  in  New  York,  300,  338. 

Great  increase  of,  340. 

Privateers  fitted  out  in  the  Delaware,  340. 
Frisbee,  Peroy,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 

Gabions,  filled  between  with  snow,  saturated  by  water  and  frozen,  formed 

the  ramparts  of  the  besiegers  at  Quebec,  124. 
Gage,  general,  commander  of  the  forces:  his  forbearance:  thanked  by 
the  corporation,  15. 
Goes  to  Boston,  42. 
Gaine,  Hugh,  printer  in  New  York,  11. 
Garland,  the  lieutenant  of,  rebuked,  25. 
Garnet,  George,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Gate  palace  at  Quebec,  sortie  from,  131. 
Gates,  Horatio,  major-general:  ill  treats  captain  Mott,  166, 
Intrigues  against  Washington,  170. 
Refuses  to  strengthen  the  main  army,  189. 
Colonel  Hamilton's  mission  to,  and  its  result,  190. 
Ordered  to  the  command  in  the  Highlands,  191 . 
Takes  command:  issues  a  general  order  displacing  Lambr 

Appoints  Stevens,  199. 
His  general  order  unauthorized,  208. 
Defeated  at  Camden,  255, 
Gelston,  David,  of  the  society  to  procure  amendments  to  the  constitution, 

320. 
Genet,  Edmond  C,  envoy  from  France,  arrives  at  Charleston,  339. 

Great  honors  paid  to  him:  triumphal  march  to  Philadelphia: 

public  addresses  to,  340. 
Arrives  at  Powles  Hook:  great  meeting  of  citizens:  address 

and  escort  him  to  the  city,  342. 
Threatens  to  appeal  to  congress  from  the  president's  decisions : 

misrepresented:  writes  to  tbe  president,  343. 
Receives  a  rebuke  from  Mr.  Jefferson,  secretary  of  State,  344. 


TNDEX.  409 

Genet,  Edmond  C.,  envoy  from  France,  complains  of  the  removal  of  the 
French  vice-consul :  rudeness  of  to  the  president :  urges  at- 
torney-general Randolph  to  prosecute  Messrs.  Jay  and 
King. 

Georgia  gives  four  votes  to  George  Clinton  as  vice  president,  339. 

Goddard,  William,  his  post  office  scheme,  86. 

Godwin,  general,  anecdote  of,  177. 

Golden  Hill,  battle  of,  56. 

Goods  arrive  from  Glasgow  in  contravention  of  the  resolves  of  congress: 
ordered  back,  97 

Gordon  the  historian,  error  of,  14. 

Gordon,  Mr.,  of  the  assembly  of  1787. 

Grant,  colonel,  killed  at  Fort  Montgomery,  178. 

Great  Britain,  pacific  overtures  of,  287. 

Their  effect  on  congress  and  the  states,  288. 

Greene,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Christopher,  prisoner  at  Quebec,  131. 
Defends  Fort  Mifflin,  189. 

Greene,  General  Nathaniel,  quarter  master  general's  letter  from  to 
Hughes,  364. 

Greenleaf,  printer  anti-adoptionist,  332. 
His  office  sacked,  333. 

Hamilton,  Alexander,  early  patriotism  of,  8. 

Aid  to  Washington:  his  mission  to  Gates,  189. 

Orders  troops  from  Putnam  camp,  190. 

With  Washington  at  Robinson's  house,  261. 

Storms  redoubt  at  Yorktown,  279,  280. 

Labors  to  restore  loyalists,  299. 

In  assembly  of  1787 :  debates  on  answer  to  Governor's  Speech, 

301. 
Brings   forward  a  bill   to   restore   the  loyalists:    carries   it 

through;  elected  to  general  convention,  302. 
Signs  the  constitution  in  behalf  of  New  York,  305. 
Labors  with  Jay  and  Madison  to  defend  the  constitution,  306. 
His  masterly  essays  in  favor  of:  chosen  delegate  to  the  state 

convention,  314. 
His  persevering  efforts  in  favor  of  adoption,  315. 
And  prevails  by  his  eloquence  in  its  behalf,  318. 
Challenged  by  colonel  Oswald,  330. 
His  amicable  relations  with  Lamb,  331. 
Is   misinformed  by  governor  Mifflin,  and  misleads   Jay  and 

King,  342. 
Defends  Jay's  treaty:    quarrel  with   commodore   Nicholson 

mediated  by  De  Witt  Clinton. 

52 


410  INDEX. 

Hamilton,  John  C,   Unfairness  of  his  account  of  the  defence  of  forts 
Montgomery  and  Clinton,  179. 

Charge  against  the  states  rights  party,  300. 

Illiberal  remarks  against  the  members  of  assembly  of  1784: 
against  Burr. — Vide  appendix. 
Head  quarters  of  the  army  removed  from  Morristown  to  Ramapo,  169. 

Army  march  to  the  Delaware,  170. 

Take  a  position  near  West  Point,  223. 
Hall,  John,  Son  of  liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Hallam  lieutenant,  called  to  account  by  Sons  of  Liberty,  25. 
Hammond,  Jabez  D.,  his  opinion  of  the  cause  of  governor  Clinton's  ac- 
quiescence to  the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  328. 
Hampden  Hall,  house  bought  by  Sons  of  Liberty.  Sons  of  Liberty  hold 
repeal  celebrations  at,  62. 

Rebukes  Fanuiel  at  Boston  for  abandoning  non  importation 
league,  70. 
Hancock,  John,  letter  from,  44. 
Hands,  Thomas  B.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Hard  winter,  1779,  1780:  sufferings  in  the  camp  in  New  Jersey,  235. 
Hardenbrook,  Theophilus,  wounded  by  soldiers,  32. 
Harpur,  Robert,  of  the  assembly  of  1784,  296. 

Hay,  colonel  Udney  deputy  quarter-master-general:  his  requisition  for 
wood-cutters  from  the  garrison  of  West  Point,  252. 

State   agent:  his  disputes  with  colonel  Pickering,   quarter- 
master-general of  the  army,  275. 
Haviland,  captain,  arrives  with  stamps  on  board,  23. 
Hazard  House,  hit  by  a  cannon  shot,  155. 

Temporary  hospital  for  the  wounded  at  Compo,  162. 
Heath,  James,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Hendrickson,  Daniel,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4 
Henry,  Robrt,  Son  of  Liberty  at  Albany,  4. 
Henry,   Patrick,  of  Virginia:  his  letter  opposing   constitution    unless 

amended,  307. 
Heth,  William,  prisoner  at  Quebec,  140. 

His  account  of  the  battle  of  Germantown,  183. 
Hillsborough,  Lord,  forbids  the  reading  of  the  Massachusetts  letter,  43. 
Hobart,  John  S.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Holmes,  Joseph,  Jun.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Holland  accedes  to  the  armed  neutrality,  274. 

Holt,  John,  patriotic  printer,  New  York:  threatened  by  Sons  of  Liberty, 
his  manifesto,  8. 

Suffers  loss  at  Kingston,  188. 
Hostilities  at  the  north  cease:  continued  at  the  south  and  on  the  Sound,  290. 
How,  general,  quells  mutiny  in  New  Jersey  line,  274. 
Howell,  Isaac,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Philadelphia,  4. 


INDEX.  411 

Hughes,  Hugh,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  8. 

Quarter-master-general's  department,  160. 

Aid  to  Arnold  at  Compo,  161. 

Relied  upon  to  resist  aristocratic  influences,  206. 

Chosen  to  assembly,  1784:  committee  to  answer  the  gover- 
nor's speech,  302. 

One  of  the  survivors  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  304. 

Memoir  of,  in  appendix. 
Hughes,  James  M.,  of  the  association  to  procure  amendments  to  the  con- 
stitution. 320. 

See  appendix. 
Huntington,  Jedediah,  colonel  at  Danbury,  159. 

Falls  on  the  rear  of  the  British  on  their  retreat,  160. 

At  the  battle  of  Compo,  16  L 

Writes  to  Lamb,  196. 

Imlay,  Peter,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  6. 

Imposts  to  congress,  grant  to  in  1781:  recalled  by  the  state:  attempts  to 

procure  a  re-grant:  a  qualified  grant,  300. 
Congress  requests  governor  Clinton  to  convene  legislature  to 

consider:  not  complied  with,  300. 
Intrigue  against  Washington,  170. 
Irving,  colonel,  taken  at  three  rivers,  143. 
Ivers,  Thomas,  affidavit  of,  26. 

Jacobins,  term  of  applied  in  derision  to  the  democrats,  346. 
James,  major,  his  property  destroyed,  16. 

Assembly  compensates  therefor,  32. 
Jandine,  Catharine,  wife  of  John  Lamb,  10. 
Jarvis,  James,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Jay,  John,  delegate  to  congress,  1774,  95. 

Labors  with  Hamilton  and  Madison  to  defend  the  federal 
constitution,  306. 

Delegate  to  the  state  convention,  314. 

Great  efforts,  318. 

Candidate  for  governor  against  Clinton  and  beaten,  339. 

Chief  justice  of  the  United  States,  339. 

Envoy  to  England,  339. 

Candidate  for  governor  against  Robert  Yates:  is  elected,  346. 

His  treaty  assailed,  346. 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  secretary  of  state,  rebukes  the  French  envoy  Genet, 

344. 
Jones,  Samuel,  in  assembly  of  1787:  sustains  governor  Clinton,  301. 

State  convention,  315, 


412  INDEX. 

Jones,  Samuel,  opposes  adoption  of  the  constitution  without  amendments : 
yields  and  adopts,  318. 
Is  of  the  association  to  procure  amendments,  320. 

Kelly, burnt  in  effigy,  76. 

Kent,  chancellor  James,  at  Hazard  House,  155. 
King,  the  statue  of  voted  by  assembly,  29. 

Erected;  70. 

Forbids  the  assembling  of  congresses,  39. 

His  store  on  the  North  River  broken  open,  107. 
King,  Pit  and  Liberty,  inscribed  on  the  first  liberty  pole,  28. 
King,  Rufus,  misinformed  by  Knox  and  Hamilton,  343. 

Defends  Jay's  treaty,  347. 
King's  Ferry,  posts  at  in  a  bad  condition,  263. 
King  Fisher,  sloop  of  war  detains  James  of  Glasgow,  97. 
Knox,  Henry,  Rivington's  letter  to,  91. 

Colonel  of  artillery,  136. 

Brigadier-general,  149. 

His  letters  to  Lamb,  189,  192,  199,  203,  210,  230,  232,  235, 
238,  249,  253. 

Letters  of  Lamb  to,  222,  340. 

Reports  governor  Mifflin's  conversation  to  Jay  and  King,  347. 

La  Fayette,  Marquis  de,  at  West  Point  with  Washington,  261. 

Storms  redoubt  at  Yorktown,  279. 

Embarks  for  France  from  Battery,  299. 

Heads  revolution  in  France,  337. 
Lamb,  Anthony,  father  of  John,  optician  at  New  York,  9. 

His  death,  300. 
Lamb,  Anthony,  son  of  John,  10. 

Defends  his  father's  house,  336. 
Lamb,  John,  birth  and  education:  early  occupation:  wine  merchant,  9. 

Committee  of  Sons  of  Liberty,  9. 

Goes  to  Philadelphia  to  enforce  resignation  of  stamp  mas- 
ter, 19. 

Addresses  meeting  in  fields  against  the  issue  of  bills  of  credit, 
50. 

Ordered  before  assembly,  examined  and  discharged,  51. 

Threatens  Tryon  should  he  attempt  to  force  landing  of  tea,  78. 

Addresses  meeting  at  Coffee  House  to  oppose  landing,  79. 

Participates  in  destruction  of  tea  at  Coffee  House  slip,  84. 

Etches  a  description  of  that  affair  on  copper,  84. 

Threatens  the  collector  of  customs  unless  arms  are  deliver- 
ed, 96. 


INDEX.  413 

Lamb,  John,  letter  to,  from  Boston,  99. 

Presides  at  a  meeting,  and  seizes  boards  destined  to  Boston, 
101. 

Joins  Sears  in  detaining  all  vessels  bound  east,  and  in  closing 
custom  house,  102. 

Acts  on  committee  of  100,  103. 

Seizes  the  king's  magazine  at  Turtle  Bay,  105. 

Offers  his  services  to  congress,  105. 

Appointed  captain  of  artillery,  106. 

Removes  guns  from  battery  by  orders  of  congress,  108. 

Refuses  to  be  attached  to  McDougall's  regiment :  ordered  to 
the  north:  and  marches,  109. 

Arrives  at  Ticonderoga,  110. 

At  St.  Johns:  beds  a  mortar  112. 

Marches  into  the  Fort  of  St.  Johns  at  the  surrender,  116. 

Marches  to  Montreal,  118. 

Difficulties  with  Montgomery,  119. 

At  Quebec:  opens  a  fire  upon,  124. 

Joins  Arnold's  corps  at  the  storm,  127. 

Field  piece  becomes  useless  and  abandoned,  129. 

Joins  Morgan  in  assault  on  the  barriers:  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner,  131. 

Found  insensible :  revived  and  taken  to  the  hospital :  attacked 
by  the  gout,  132. 

Loses  the  sight  of  his  left  eye:  wound  reopened  and  cured: 
threatened  to  be  sent  to  England  in  irons:  convinces  Carle- 
ton  of  his  firmness,  133. 

Is  promoted,  136. 

Reproves  his  men  for  joining  Carleton,  139. 

Is  himself  reproved,  139. 

Applies  for  release  on  parole :  embarks  for  home :  arrives  on 
the  coast  of  New  Jersey :  the  great  fire  then  raging :  reflec- 
tions thereon,  146. 

Reports  himself  at  head  quarters:  joins  his  family  at  Strat- 
ford: memorializes  congress,  147. 

Notice  of  congress,  148. 

Receives  a  letter  from  general  Knox:  and  promotion,  149. 

Arrives  at  Compo  at  the  battle,  160. 

Takes  command  of  volunteers:  storms  British  artillery,  161. 

Wounded,  and    taken  by  colonel  Hughes  to  the  hospital,  162. 

Ordered  to  New  Haven,  163. 

Commands  there,  164. 

Ordered  to  Fort  Montgomery:  asks  for  active  duty,  168. 

In  Fort  Montgomery  at  the  storm:  directs  artillery,  176. 


414  INDEX. 

Lamb,  John,  ordered  to  Water  Battery,  177. 
Retires  to  New  Windsor,  183. 
Commands  artillery  on  the  river,  194. 
Orders  it  from  Connecticut  line,  196. 
Ordered  with  artillery  to  Valley  Forge,  197. 
Order   countermanded:    is   superseded   by   general   order   of 

Gates,  199. 
Writes  to  president  of  congress:  to  the  commander-in-chief, 

200. 
To  colonel  Malcom,  201. 
To  governor  Trumbull,  203. 

Dispute  of  rank  with  Harrison :  adjusted  in  his  favor,  204. 
General  order  of  Gates  unauthorized,  208. 
Appointed  surveyor  of  ordnance,  218. 
Letter  to  general  Knox,  222. 
Letter  from  Knox,  223. 
Board  of  general  officers  rank  him  below  Crane:  tenders  his 

resignation  to  Washington,  224. 
Resignation  not  accepted,  225. 
Letters  from  Washington  to,  225,  263,  264. 
Letter  to  Washington,  226. 
To  president  of  congress,  227. 
At  West  Point  in  command,  240. 
Letter  to  Arnold  in  regard  to  Moody  the  spy,  247. 
Another,  249. 

Informs  Arnold  of  the  weakness  of  the  garrison,  and  deficien- 
cy of  powder :  begs  the  garrison  may  not  be  weakened,  250 . 
Remonstrates  against  farther  details  of  men,  251. 
Letters  to  Arnold  on  the  subject :  to  colonel  Malcom,  252. 
To  colonel  James  Livingston :  reluctant  to  supply  powder, 

258. 
Consternation  at  the  discovery  of  Arnold's  treason,  261. 
Ordered  to  command  the  posts  below,  263. 
Resumes  his  command,  264. 

Artillery  stationed  at  Dobbs's  Ferry:  ordered  to  the  south,  277. 
Arrives  at  James  River:  is  second  in  command  of  American 

artillery,  278. 
Commands  in  the  trenches  the  day  the  Chamade  was  beaten, 

280. 
Conducts  the  artillery  to  Burlington,  N.  J. :  stationed  there, 

282. 
Letter  to  Gov.  Clinton,  284. 
To  colonel  Willett,  285, 
Expects  promotion  and  disappointed,  290. 


INDEX.  415 

Lamb,  John,  denounces  the  Newburgh  letters,  294. 

In  favor  of  the  order  of  Cincinnati,  295. 

Returns  to  the  city  of  New  York:  is  elected  to  the  assembly: 
opposes  the  restoration  of  the  royalists,  296. 

Favors  the  emission  of  bills  of  credit,  297. 

Appointed  collector  of  New  York  by  the  council  of  appoint- 
ment, 297. 

Is  chairman  of  association  to  oppose  the  adoption  of  the  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  unless  amended,  306. 

Corresponds  with  Patrick  Henry  and  other  influential  men  at 
the  south,  307. 

Beaten  in  the  election  of  delegates  to  the  state  convention,  314. 

Opposes  the  ratification  of  the  constitution  by  the  state  with- 
out amendments,  306  to  331. 

Amicable  relations  with    Hamilton:    confidence   in   general' 
Washington,  331. 

His  house  threatened  by  the  federalists:  preparations  to  de- 
fend, 334. 

Efforts  are  made  to  prevent  his  nomination  by  the  presidentr 
336. 

Declines  making  application :  is  nominated  and  appointed,  337. 

Is  of  the  party  which  supports  France  and  her  revolution,  347. 

Feasts  the  French  officers:  favors  Genet  the  French  minister,, 
and  is  friendly  to  him  in  his  reverses,  348. 

Severely  afflicted  with  the  gout:  greatly  distressed  by  the- 
loss  of  his  son-in-law,  350. 

His  benevolent  character:  letter  of  Mrs.  Nathan  to,  351. 

Undiminished  friendship  for  Gov.  Clinton,  352. 

Infidelity  of  his  clerk,  353 

Who  embezzles  the  public  funds:  defaulter  to  the  government 
in  consequence,  354. 

Friendship  of  Hamilton  and  Troup :  severe  measures  of  the 
government,  354. 

Ruin  of  his  family,  355. 

Decline  of  life,  and  death  of,  355. 

His  character,  356,  357. 
Lansing  John  J.,  of  a  committee  to  draft  answer  to  governor's  speech, 
296. 

Delegate  to  general  convention  at  Philadelphia,  302. 

Secedes  from  the  convention,  305. 

Delegate  to  the  state  convention:  his  great  efforts  to  procure 
amendments, 
Laight,  Edward,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 
Lawrence,  Elisha,  Jr.,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4. 


416  INDEX. 

Lawrence,  Nathaniel,  of  the  society  to  procure  amendments  to  the  con- 
stitution, 320. 
Lawyers  objected  to  as  assemblymen,  41. 
Ledlie,  Hugh,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Connecticut,  4. 
Lee,  Richard  Henry,  of  Virginia,  letter  from,  308. 
Lee,  captain,  gallantry  of,  195. 

Lendrum,  Rev.  Andrew,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4. 
Letters,  threatening,  sent  to  Holt,  8. 

To  the  assembly,  and  action  thereon,  22. 
Liberty  pole  erected,  28,  33,  37,  59. 

Destroyed,  32,  33,  37,  55. 

Attempted  by  soldiers,  62. 
Litchfield  recommended  as  a  depot  by  colonel  Lamb:  and  reasons  for,  333. 
Livingston  Major  Wm.,  assaults  Greenleaf  s  office  333. 
Livingston,  colonel  James,  not  at  the  gate  of  St.  Johns  31st  Dec,  1775, 
127. 

Commands  at  King's  Ferry:  his  requisition  for  powder  to 
fire  at  the  Vulture,  250, 

Ordered  to  Robinson's  house  for  a  conference  with  Washing- 
ton, 250. 
Livingston,  J.,  member  of  assembly,  1787,  302. 
Livingston,  C,  member  of  assembly,  1787,  302. 
Livingston,  William,  governor  of  New  Jersey,  289. 
Lockier,  captain  of  the  Tea  Ship :  taken  possession  of,  82. 
Lockwood,  Samuel,  of  Connecticut,  captain  in  Lamb's  regiment,  150. 
Long  Island  threatened  descent  on,  166. 

Lott,  Mr.,  clerk  of  assembly,  receives  a  threatening  letter,  22. 
Lovell,  James,  letter  from,  208. 

Lowndes,  Rawlins,  of  South  Carolina,  letter  from,  opposing  constitu- 
tion as  adopted,  308. 
Low,  Cruger,  Alsop,  and  Delancey,  elected  to  assembly,  and  give  fifty 

pounds  each  to  the  poor,  41 . 
Loyalists  disfranchised,  297. 

Schuyler  and  Hamilton  labor  to  restore,  298. 
Lush,  Stephen,  aid  to  governor  Clinton,  taken  at  Fort  Montgomery,  176. 
Lux,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 

McCauley,  Gideon,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
McDougall,  Alexander,  early  patriot,  8. 

Arrested  on  a  bench  warrant :  refuses  to  give  bail :  imprisoned : 
case  assimilated  to  that  of  Wilkes :  visited  by  all  classes  in 
prison,  61. 
Toasted  by  Sons  of  Liberty  of  Hampden  Hall :  procession  of 
citizens  visit,  62. 


INDEX.  417 

McDougall,  Alexander,  indicted  for  a  libel  upon  the  assembly,  63. 

Ordered  to  the   bar  of  the  assembly:    defended   by  George 

Clinton,  71. 
Declared  guilty  of  contempt,  72. 

And  imprisoned:  writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  issued:  house  refused 
to  obey  the  writ:  probably  yielded,  and  restored  him  to 
liberty,  73. 
Member  of  the  provincial  convention,  100. 
Colonel  of  first  New  York  Regiment,  108. 
Brigadier-general  at  Germantown,  183, 
At  Valley  Forge,  191. 
Letter  from,  197. 
At  West  Point,  271. 
Arrested  by  general  Heath,  283. 

In  senate  of  New  York  votes  for  emission  of  bills  of  credit; 
first  president  of  the  bank  of  New  York :  in  favor  of  re- 
storing the  royalists,  297. 
Votes  with  Schuyler  and  Hamilton:  death  of,  304. 
McEvers,  James,  stamp  distributor  of  New  York:  refuses  stamps,  13, 
McHard,  Joseph,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Maclean,  colonel,  of  Quebec:  letter  of,  139. 
McPherson,  captain,  aid  to  Montgomery,  killed  at  Quebec,  128. 
Malcom,  colonel  William,  sent  to  Albany  by  Clinton,  187. 
Letters  from,  188,  206,  207. 
Adjutant-general  of  Gates's  army,  200. 
Deprecates  revival  of  tory  influences,  206. 
At  Haverstraw,  249. 
Chosen  to  assembly  of  1784,  296. 

Again  in   1787:  amends  speaker  Varrick's  motion,  300. 
Votes  for  the  restoration  of  the  royalists,  302. 
Mansfield,  Samuel,  a  captain  of  Lamb's  regiment,  150, 
Maryland,  Sons  of  Liberty  of,  4. 

Three  letters  from,  22,  27. 
Mason,  Rev.  John,  letter  from,  277. 

Mason,  Stevens  Thompson,  senator  from  Virginia:  discloses  proceed- 
ings in  regard  to  Jay's  treaty :  denounced  therefor  by  the 
federalists,  and  applauded  by  the  democrats:  thanks  of  a 
public  meeting  voted,  347. 
Massachusetts  refuses  mutiny  bill,  40. 

Address  letter  to  New  York  assembly,  42. 
Forbidden  to  be  read,  42. 

Governor  of  burnt  in  effigy,  with  the  sheriff,  45. 
Meeting  at  Burns's  Coffee  House,  erroneously  dated:  committee  ap- 
pointed at,  14. 

53 


418  INDEX. 

Meeting  of  25th  November,  1765,  21. 
23d  June,  1766,  29. 

In  the  fields,  to  denounce  the  issue  of  bills  of  credit,  50. 
Recommending  vote  by  ballot,  53. 
To  resolve  against  the  insolence  of  the  soldiery,  55. 
To  purchase  ground  for  liberty  pole,  59. 
To  decide  upon  rejecting  the  tea,  79. 
Meigs,  Return  Jonathan,  major,  prisoner  at  Quebec,  132. 

Lieutenant-colonel,  his  expedition  to  Long  Island,  166. 
Letter  from,  196. 

At  the  storm  of  Stoney  Point,  224. 
Melmoth,  Mrs.,  about  to  be  rebuked,  345. 

Metcalf,  Simon,  suspected  of  being  stamp  distributor  of  New  York,  22. 
Mifflin,  Fort,  attack  on  described,  192. 

Governor,  misapprehends  A.  J.  Dallas,  343. 
Miles,  John,  captain  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Militia  of  New  York,  patriotic,  222. 
Minerva,  ship,  arrives,  20. 

Boarded  for  stamps,  23. 
Mix,  Timothy,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Moale,  John,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Mohawks  notified  to  be  in  readiness,  76. 
Monmouth,  battle  of,  202. 

Oswald's  behavior  at,  203. 
Death  of  the  Gates  faction,  205. 
Montanya,  Abram,  affidavit  of,  26. 

Montagnie's  house  becomes  the  resort  of  the  governor's  party,  61. 
Montgomery,  general  Richard,  wishes  to  remove  his  batteries,  113. 
Difficulties  with  his  officers,  117. 
Charges  Lamb  as  agitator,  119. 
Commends  his  bravery  and  skill,  119. 
Dissuades  him  from  resigning:  declares  him  indispensible  to 

the  army,  121. 
In  the  trenches  at  Quebec,  124. 
Orders  Lamb  to  draw  off  his  guns,  125. 
Refuses  to  dismember  Arnold's  corps,  126. 
Determines  to  storm  Quebec,  126. 
Passes  below  the  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond,  127. 
Attacks  battery  and  is  killed :  death  of,  fatal  to  the  enterprize, 
133. 
Montgomery,  Fort,  Lamb  ordered  to,  168. 
Is  stormed,  177. 

Governor  Clinton  commands,  174. 
Brave  defence  of,  178. 


INDEX.  419 

Moody,  James,  spy,  in  irons  at  "West  Point,  247. 

Sent  to  Washington's  camp,  252. 

Steals  despatches  to  congress,  and  defeats  the  design  to  attack 
New  York,  274. 
Moodie,  Andrew,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  company  of  artillery,  prisoner 

at  Quebec,  146. 

Embarks  for  home  with  Lamb,  146. 

A  captain  in  Lambs  regiment,  150. 

Letter  from,  229. 
Moore,  Sir  Henry,  governor ^  arrives  in  the  city :  declares  his  determina- 
tion not  to  force  the  issue  of  the  stamps :  orders  repairs  of  the 
forts  to  be  discontinued:  adjourns  assembly:  his  popularity: 
addressed  by  Sons  of  Liberty,  20. 

Attends  at  raising  the  flag-staff,  28. 

Demands  supplies  under  the  mutiny  act,  29. 

Demands  full  compliance  with  the  bill,  34. 

Forbids  the  reading  of  the  letter  from  assembly  of  Massachu- 
setts: demands  further  supplies,  43. 

Still  more,  45. 

Prorogues  the  assembly:  dies,  46. 
Morgan,  captain  Daniel,  at  Quebec,  130. 

Storms  under  Arnold,  131. 

Resists  until  the  last,  and  is  taken  prisoner,  132. 
Mott,  Gershom,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 

Committee  of  Oct.  31,  1765,  14. 

Captain  in  McDougall's  regiment  at  St.  Johns:  difficulty  with 
Montgomery:  arrested,  117. 

And  released  at  the  intercession  of  the  New  York  officers,  117. 

Captain  in  Lamb's  regiment,  150. 

Sent  to  recruit  at  Albany,  165. 

Letter  from  respecting  general  Gates,  166. 

Recommended  by  Lamb  for  the  majority  of  his  regiment:  at 
Fort  Constitution,  and  his  annoyances  there,  169. 

Is  summoned  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton:  fires  on  the  flag,  and 
evacuates  the  fort,  185. 

His  letters,  185,  186,  209. 

Difficulties  at  White  Plains,  204. 
Murray,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Mutiny  bill,  extracts  from,  28,  30. 

Assembly  refuses  to  comply  with,  31. 

Yield  a  partial  compliance,  34. 

Yielded  still  more,  39. 

Again  yield  a  further  supply,  46. 

Give  full  assent,  50. 


420  INDEX. 

Nathan,  Mrs.   G.,  her  letter  to  Lamb:  a  correspondent  of  Miss  Edge- 
worth,  352. 
Nestle,  Peter,  a  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Neutral  ground,  disputes  about  forage  in,  275. 
New  Jersey  line,  troops  of,  mutiny,  273. 

Quelled  by  general  How,  274. 
New  Hampshire,  relied  upon  to  vote  against  ratifying  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States,  313. 

Adopts  the  constitution,  316. 
New  York  raises  four  regiments,  108.         « 

Appoints  colonel  Udney  Hay  agent:  claims  pay  for  forage  on 
forfeited  estates,  275. 

City,  contemplated  attack  on,  205. 

Another  meditated,  210. 

Bank  of,  association  formed,  297. 

Chartered,  339. 
Nicholson,  Joseph,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Nicholson,  Joseph,  Jr  ,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland.  4. 
Nicholson,  commodore  James,  chairman  of  the  meeting  to  receive  Genet 
the  French  minister,  342. 

President  of  the  democratic  society,  345. 

Quarrel  with  Hamilton  composed  by  De  Witt  Clinton,  347. 
Nichol,  William,  speaker  of  assembly:  answer  of  to  governor  Moore,  34. 
Nicoll,  Charles,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 
Nominations,  self,  denounced,  40. 
Non-importation  association,  4. 

Philadelphia  does  not  join,  45. 

New  York  adopts  stringent  measures,  46. 

Punishes  informers,  64. 

Punishes  infractors,  64. 

Abrogated  in  every  thing  but  tea,  70. 
North  Carolina,  against  the   adoption  of  the  U.  S.  constitution  unless 
amended,  307.  v 

Gives  George  Clinton  12  votes  for  president,  339. 

North  River,  hostile  demonstrations  at,  219. 
Norwalk  River,  Arnold  posted  on,  159. 
November  first,  1765,  stamp  law  took  effect:  riot  of,  15. 
1769,  toasts  drank  at  the  celebration  of,  47. 

October  31,  first  meeting  at  BurnsV.  erroneously  dated,  15. 

Officers,  field,  of  Montgomery,  oppose  removal  of  batteries,  113. 

Order  of  Mercy  Nuns  of,  their  convent,  made  a  temporary  hospital  for 

American  prisoners  taken  at  Quebec,  132. 
Order,  general,  of  Gates,  supersedes  Lamb  in   command  of  artillery  of 

the  Highlands,  201. 


INDEX.  421 

Unauthorized,  208. 
Ordnance,  surveyor  of,  Lamb  appointed,  218. 
OrJnance  and  war  department,  letter  from,  233. 

Oswald,  lieutenant  colonel  Eleazer,  with  Arnold  at  the  storm  of  Quebec: 
takes   the   command    of  forlorn    hope   after   Arnold   was 
wounded:  puts  himself  under  command  of  Lamb,  130 
Appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery, 

149. 
Recruits  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts,  152. 
Marches  by  Arnold's  command  to  Compo,  157. 
Provoked  by  Putnam:  resigns:  foregoes  his  purpose,  168. 
Applies  to  Putnam  for  orders  to  reinforce  Fort  Montgomery, 

182. 
His  letters,  182,  186,  187,  198. 
At  the  battle  of  Monmouth:  commended  by  general  Knox, 

202. 
By  general  Lee,  203. 
Outranked  and  resigns,  209. 

Letters  from,  on  the  subject  of  Arnold's  treason,  266. 
Challenges  colonel  Hamilton:  quarrel  appeased,  330. 
Part  of  the  garrison  of  Lamb's  house,  335. 
At   the   battle    of  Jemappe:    returns   from   Europe:   wears 

French  uniform  and  tri-colored  cockade,  344. 
Contracts  the  yellow  fever  in  attendance  on  major  Tillinghast: 
dies,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Paul's  church  yard,  350. 
Ox  roasted  in  the  fields,  4th  June,  1766,  28. 


Paca,  William,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Paper  currency,  great  depreciation  of  235. 

Parker,  James,  printer  of  McDougall's  manifesto,  examined  at  the  Fort 
by  governor  and  council,  60. 

Death  of,  73. 
Parsons,  general  Samuel  H.,  letter  from,  164. 

Plans  expedition  of  Meigs,  166. 

Rumors  prejudicial  to,  219. 

Letter  to  from  Lamb,  220. 

Interferes  to  prevent  recruiting  from  Connecticut  line,  229. 
Party,  excitements  of,  on  the  subject  of  the  constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  330. 
Peekskill,  army  at,  166. 

Oswald  at,  167. 
Philadelphia,  citizens  of,  burn  king's  solicitor,  Wedderburn,  in  effigy,  86, 

Defences  of  the  British  army  at,  191. 

Letter  of  Du  Simitiere  from,  212-215. 

Devastations  in  by  the  British  army,  213. 


422  INDEX. 

Philadelphia,  citizens  of  arrested  for  serving  on  board  French  privateers, 
340. 

Give  the  French  minister  Genet  a  public  dinner,  344. 

Pennsylvania  does  not  join  in  the  non-importation  association, 
45. 

Afterwards  joins:  committee  ridicules  the  committee  of  New 
York  for  relaxing,  and  demands  the  Liberty  pole,  68. 

Herself  relaxes,  70. 

Gives  one  vote  to  George  Clinton  for  vice  president  in  1792, 
339. 
Peters,  Richard,  secretary  of  the  board  of  war  and  ordnance,  223. 
Pickering,  Timothy,  quarter-master-general,  253. 

Disputes  with  colonel  Hay,  state  agent,  275. 

Extracts  of  letters  from,  367. 

See  appendix  A. 
Pickets  at  Fort  Clinton,  driven  in  on  the  morning  of  6th  Oct.,  1777,  175. 
Pilot,  Sandy  Hook,  deceives  officers  of  the  Ambuscade,  341. 
Pitt,  honorable  William,  statue  of  brass  to,  voted  by  assembly,  29. 

Marble  one  erected,  70. 

Pasquinades  against,  70. 

Statue  mutilated,  75. 
Piatt,  Richard,  aid-de-camp  to  McDougall,  letter  from,  191. 
Point  au  Tremble,  reached  by  Montgomery's  army,  123. 
Porter,  James,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Porterfield,  Charles,  a  volunteer  at  Quebec,  taken  prisoner,  140. 

Lieutenant-colonel:  killed  at  Camden,  140. 
Post  office,  new  scheme  proposed  by  William  Goddard,  86. 
Posts  of  Fort  Anne  and  Fort  George  at  the  north,  taken,  273. 
Potter,  Gilbert,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Preston,  major,  summoned  to  surrender  Fort  St.  John,  115. 
Priests,  Roman  Catholic,  of  Canada,  loyal  to  the  British,  123. 
Prisoners  at  Quebec,  plan  escape:  advised  of  its  discovery,  137. 

Apply  for  release  on  parole,  145. 
Privateers,  French,  fitted  out  in  the  Delaware,  340. 
Provincial  congress  organized,  100. 

Address  circular  letter  to  Canadians,  105. 
Pullaine,  major,  interferes  with  enforcers  of  non-importation  agreement, 

54. 
Putnam,  general,  projects  a  descent  on  Long  Island,  166. 

Of  the  Gates  faction,  and  probably  influenced  therein  by  his 
aid,  colonel  Burr,  167. 

His  manners  unpolished,  168. 

Rumors  in  his  camp,  169. 

Deceived  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton:  fails  to  reinforce  the  High- 
land forts  in  time.  174. 


INDEX.  423 

Putnam,  general,  outmanceuvered  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton:  refuses  to  send 
Oswald  to  relief  of  the  posts,  182. 

Designs  an  attack  on  the  city  of  New  York,  186. 

Retains  forces  from  Washington's  camp:  ordered  to  send 
them  by  Hamilton:  rumors  of  his  being  about  to  be  ar- 
rested, 190. 

Refuses  to  permit  artillery  to  be  removed  from  the  interior, 
196. 

Quebec,  march  on  by  Montgomery,  123. 
Attacked  by  storm,  128. 
Bishop  of,  kind  to  American  prisoners,  139. 
Arnold  holds  in  blockade,  140. 

Expedition  from  fails:  sortie  from  successful:  blockade  raisedT 
142. 
Quarter-master-generals  department,  inefficiency  of,  and  general  neglect 
in,  207,  241. 
Arrangement  of  altered,  244. 

Rank,  relative,  between  Harrison  and  Lamb,  207. 

Between  Crane  and  Lamb,  224. 
Raymond's  Point,  Tryon's  debarkation  in  first  invasion  of  Connecticut, 

154. 
Red  Bank,  defence  of,  189. 

Attack  on  described,  192. 
Repeal  celebrations:  stamp  act  begins  to  decline,  74. 
Reports  in  the  armies  at  the  north,  false  on  both  sides,  111. 
Republican  party,  assumption  of  the  name,  338. 
Pay  extravagant  honors  to  Genet,  343. 

Wear   tri-colored  cockade:  ape  French  terms  and  manners: 
form  democratic  societies,  and  call  themselves  democrats, 
345. 
Revere,  Paul,  letter  from,  81. 

Lieutenant-colonel,  letter  from,  153. 
Revolution,  French,  hailed  with  joy  by  all  parties:  disgraced  by  the 

Jacobins,  337. 
Rhode  Island,  falls  from  non-importation  agreement:  denounced  by  Son* 

of  Liberty:  their  manifesto  against,  65. 
Ridgefield,  battle  at,  159. 

Ringgold,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Ringgold,  Thomas,  do  do 

Ringgold,  Thomas,  Jun.,      do  do 

Ritzma,  lieutenant-colonel,  his  unsuccessful  march,  112. 


424  INDEX. 

Robbins,  Ezekiel,  of  the  society  to  procure  amendments  to  the  constitu- 
tion, 320. 
Robinson,  Thomas,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4. 

Member  of  committee  of  1765,  14, 
Robinson,  Beverly  Col:  at  Fort  Montgomery,  176. 

Commands  after  death  of  Campbell,  177. 

Intrigues  with  Arnold,  257. 
Rogers,  Nathan,  denounced  by  Sons  of  Liberty,  64. 
Roques,  St.,  surburbs  of  Quebec,  124. 

Design  upon,  127. 

Americans  pass  through  at  the  storm  of  the  city,  129. 
Roseboom,  Myndert,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Albany,  4. 
Rumors  in  camp,  169,  222,  228. 

Sailor,  wounded  at  Greenleaf's,  333. 

St.  Clair,  general  Arthur,  intrigue  against,  170. 

St.  Johns,  fort  of,  Carleton  attempts  to  relieve,  115. 

Surrendered,  116, 
St.  Louis,  gate  of,  position  of  Lamb's  battery  opposite,  124. 
Saugatuck  River,  Arnold  crosses  bridge  of,  160. 
Schooner  sunk  by  Montgomery's  batteries  at  St.  Johns,  113. 
Schuyler,  major-general  Philip,  and  Montgomery  at  Isle  au  Noix:  recon- 
noitre the  fort  and  return,  110. 

Returns  sick  to  Ticonderoga,  111. 

Instrumental  to  Lamb's  promotion,  136. 

Intrigues  against,  170. 

Favors  the  restoration  of  royalists,  297. 

Procures  the  passage  of  Hamilton's  bill  in  the  senate,  302. 

His  party  gains  a  majority  in  the  senate,  326. 

Defeats  the  bill  for  the  election  of  Presidential  electors,  327. 

And  the  bill  for  the  choice  of  senators  to  first  congress,  328. 
Sears,  Isaac,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4.- 

An  early  patriot,  8. 

Of  the  committee  of  1765,  14. 

Affidavit  of,  26. 

Wounded  by  soldiers,  32, 

Arrests  a  soldier,  55. 

Affray  with,  56. 

Removed  from  office,  74. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  people  proposes  arming  the  citizens:  ar^ 
rested  therefor:  released  by  the  people,  101. 

Letter  to  Lamb,  217. 

Chosen  member  of  assembly,  297. 

Makes  a  voyage  to  China:  and  dies  in  Canton,  304. 


INDEX.  425 

Seminary  at  Quebec,  American  officers  imprisoned  in,  137. 

Sewall,  H.,  aid-de-camp  to  Washington,  368. 

Shaw,  Samuel,  aid  to  general  Knox:  letters  from,  219,  243,  256. 

Original  draft  of  the  constitution  of  Cincinnati  in  his  hand 
writing,  294. 
Shelburne,  Lord,  his  instructions  to  governor  Sir  Henry  Moore,  34. 
Ship  Nancy,  tea  ship,  blown  off  the  coast:  arrives  at  Antigua,  81. 

Damaged  in  a  gale:  arrives  at  the  Hook:  taken  possession  by 
committee,  82. 

Ordered  to  sea,  84. 
Ships  of  war,  of  both  French  and  English  nations  ordered  by  governor 
Clinton  below  Governor's  Island,  346. 

Sickles,  ,  of  assembly  of  1787,  302. 

Silliman,  general,  at  Reading  with  Wooster,  157. 

Detached  by  Arnold:  joins  Huntington,  160. 

Battle  of  Compo,  161. 
Smith,  Melancthon,  defeated  in  the  city:  is  elected  delegate  to  state  con- 
vention from  Dutchess,  314. 

Great  efforts  to  procure  preliminary  amendments,  317. 

Yields  to  the  adoption  without  them,  318. 

Is  of  the  association  to  procure  amendments,  320. 
Smith,  Joshua  Hett,  house  at  Haverstraw:  Arnold  visits  there:  Lamb's 
opinion  of,  256. 

His  narrative,  appendix  D. 

Tried  by  a  court  martial  and  acquitted :  handed  over  to  the 
civil  authorities,  267. 

Makes  his  escape,  268. 
Smith,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Smith,  Richard,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  Jersey,  4. 
Smyth,  Thomas,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Sneething,  Barack,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Soldiers  destroy  liberty  pole,  32,  33,  37,  55. 

Attempt  to  blow  up  with  powder,  37. 

Wound  citizens,  32,  33. 

Fire  into  Bardin's  house,  37. 

Attack  the  pole,  37,  54,  55,  62. 

Attack  Montagnie's  house,  54. 

Arrested:  attempt  to  rescue:  attack  the  citizens,  and  battle 
at  Golden  Hill,  56. 

Many  disarmed :  renew  the  fight  at  the  New  Jail,  57. 

Attack  Bicker's  house,  63. 

Attack  citizens  at  Exchange,  73. 
Sons  of  Liberty,  organization  of,  2. 

Of  Maryland,  3. 

54 


426  INDEX. 

Sons  of  Liberty,  New  York  the  central  post,  3. 

Effects  of  their  exertions,  13. 

Committee  of  31st  Oct.,  '65,  14. 

Head  the  populace :  burn  lieutenant-governer  C olden  in  effi- 
gy, 4. 

Correspond  with  the  merchants :  enforce  regulations  of  the 
congress  of  1765,  18. 

Compel  John  Hughes,  stamp  distributor  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
resign,  19. 

Frame  articles  of  union  of  the  colonies,  18. 

Compel  Hood,  the  distributor  of  Maryland,  to  resign,  21. 

Board  the  Minerva  in  search  of  stamps :  notice  to  the  associa- 
tion, 23. 

Burn  stamps  by  Haviland:  and  those  of  Lewis  Pintard,  24. 

Of  Philadelphia,  their  letter,  25. 

Of  Maryland,  letters  from,  22,  27. 

Letter  from  their  London  correspondent,  Nicholas   Ray :  and 
answer  to,  36. 

Celebrate  repeal  at  Bardin's,  37. 

Oppose  emission  of  bills  of  credit :  publish  hand-bills  against 
it,  50,  51. 

Call  a  meeting  in  the  fields,  51. 

Purchase  a  piece  of  ground,  and  erect  a  liberty  pole  upon  it,  59», 

Buy  a  house  for  their  meetings,  and  call  it  Hampden  Hall,  62, 

Denounce  infractors  of  non-importation  league,  65. 

Manifesto  against  Rhode  Island,  65. 

Continue  firm  against  importation,  70. 

Resolve  against  tea,  77. 

Destroy  tea,  84. 

Covenant  with  Boston,  87. 

Burn  solicitor  Wedderburne  and  Gov.  Hutchinson  in  effigy7 
87. 

Call  a  meeting  in  the  fields,  93. 

Decline  of  their  power,  304. 
Spain  joins  confederacy  against  England,  274. 
Springfield,  derangement  of  affairs  at,  232. 

Lamb  ordered  to  visit,  233. 

Frauds  committed  at:  Lamb's  report  on,  234. 

New  Jersey,  battle  of,  239. 
Stagg,  John,  chosen  to  assembly,  296. 
Stamp  act,  2,  12,  13,  27,  28. 
Stamp  distributors  burnt  in  effigy  at  Boston,  13. 

Elsewhere,  117. 

Compensation  ordered  to,  40. 


INDEX.  427 

Stamped  papers  brought  by  Davis,  16. 

Tillett,  20. 

Lodged  in  the  fort,  16,  20. 

Delivered  to  common  council,  16. 

Burned,  24. 
State  rights  party  seek  amendments  to  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States,  320 

Their  proceedings,  321  to  325. 

Recommend  George  Clinton  as  a  candidate  for  vice  president, 
326. 

Defeat  senate  bill  for  the  election  of  electors,  and  choice  of 
senators,  327,  328. 

In  favor  of  France:  take  the  name  of  republican,  and  demo- 
crat, 338. 
Statue  of  the  king  ordered,  29. 

Erected,  70. 

Torn  down  and  cast  into  bullets,  214. 

Of  Pitt  ordered,  29. 

Erected,  70. 

Mutilated,  75. 
Steele,  lieutenant,  prisoner  at  Quebec:  reproves  his  men  for  enlisting 

under  Carleton:  reprehended  by  Maclean,  138. 
Stephenson,  William,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  3. 
Sterling,  Lord,  selects  the  position  of  Fort  Clinton,  174. 
Steuben,  Baron  de,  commands  in  the  trenches  at  the  surrender  of  York- 
town,  280. 
Stevens,  major  Ebenezer,  marches  to  Ticonderoga,  153. 

Made  to  supersede  Lamb  in  Gates's  general  orders,  199. 

Appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  Lamb's  regiment,  216. 

At  Yorktown,  278. 
Stuart,  a  Scotch  volunteer  at  Fort  Montgomery:  his  reasons  and  adven- 
tures, 180. 
Stukely,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Sturgis,  Jonathan,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Connecticut,  4. 
Surgeon  at  Quebec  restores  Lamb  and  operates  upon  his  wound,  132. 

Tariff  of  duties,  40. 

Tea,  a  duty  on:  East  India  company  encouraged  to  import:  ladies  resolve 
not  to  use,  40. 
Duty  resisted:  growing  excitements  against,  75. 
Commissioners  for  New  York  decline  serving :  ships  expect- 
ed, 76. 
Sons  of  Liberty  resolve  against,  77. 
Ships  arrive  at  Boston,  78. 


428  INDEX. 

Tea  rejected  by  the  citizens:  destroyed  at  Boston,  80. 

More  destroyed  afterwards,  81. 

New  York  ship  blown  off  the  coast:  reaches  Antigua,  81. 

Arrives:  Chamber1s  ship  expected :  arrives  and  is  searched,  82. 

Tea  found  on  board  and  destroyed,  83. 

New  York  ship  arrives :  taken  possession  of  by  committee  and 
ordered  to  sea, 
Thayer, ,  a  prisoner  at  Quebec,  140.   - 

Defends  Red  Bank,  189. 
Thomas,  general,  supersedes  Wooster,  142. 
Thompson,  Charles,  secretary  of  congress,  letter  from,  208. 
Thompson,  general,  defeated  at  Three  Rivers,  143. 
Thompson,  captain-lieutenant,  killed  at  Springfield,  New  Jersey,  239. 
Ticonderoga,  Lamb  at,  110. 

Allen  and  Arnold  at,  126. 
Throop,  John  R.,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment,  150. 
Tillinghast,  Charles,  secretary  of  association  to  oppose  constitution  un- 
less amended,  306. 

Assistant  collector  under  Lamb:  attacked   by  yellow  fever 
and  dies,  348. 

His  character  and  revolutionary  services,  350. 
Tolmie,  Norman,  his  affidavit,  24. 
Tory  reef  memorized  by  Tryon's  pilot,  150. 

Townsend,  Solomon,  of  the  society  to  procure  amendments  of  the  consti- 
tution, 320. 
Travis,  Jacob,  lieutenant,  his  noble  conduct  at  Compo,  163. 
Treat,  captain  lieutenant,  killed  at  Fort  Mifflin,  192. 
Treaty  of  commerce  with  England  denounced  by  the  democrats,   346. 
Trenches,  duty  of  at  Yorktown  prescribed,  278. 
Troops,  British,  expected  at  Boston,  42. 

Arrive  at  Sandy  Hook:  depart  for  Boston,  105. 
Troops  at  West  Point,  insufficiently  clad,  229. 
Troup,  Robert,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment,  151. 

Aid  to  general  Gates,  151. 

Deprecates  renewal  of  Tory  influences,  206. 

His  friendship  for  Lamb,  354. 
Tryon,  William,  governor  of  New  York,  74. 

Goes  to  England,  80. 

Raises  a  corps  of  loyalists,  and  is  major-general,  154. 

Attacks  Danbury  in  Connecticut,  and  destroys,  158. 

Retreats  on  Norwalk,  159. 

Intercepted  by  Arnold,  159. 

At  Compo  Hill:  debarks:  his  official  report,  161. 

Commands  Reserve  at  the  attack  on  Fort  Montgomery, 


INDEX.  429 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  governor  of  Connecticut,  letter  of  Lamb  to,  203. 
His  great  exertions  in  the  public  service,  288. 

Valley  Forge,  camp  at,  breaks  up,  198. 
Van  Dike,  Henry,  a  Son  of  Liberty  of  Maryland,  4. 
Van  Dervoort,  Peter,  wounded  by  soldiers,  32. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Jeremiah,  Son  of  Liberty  at  Albany,  4. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Stephen,  elected  lieutenaut-governor,  346. 
Van  Zandt,  Peter  P.,  chosen  to  the  assembly,  296. 

Varrick,  colonel  Richard,  aid  and  secretary  to  Arnold:  letters  from,  255T 
264,  265. 
Prostrated  by  the  intelligence  of  Arnold's  defection,  264. 
Demands  a  court  of  enquiry,  264. 

Speaker  of  assembly,  amends  answer  to  governor's  speech, 
300. 
Vaughan,  general,  expedition  of  up  the  river,  187. 
Verplanck's  Point  taken,  219. 

Attempt  to  retake  fails,  223. 

Evacuated  by  the  British  and  repossessed  by  the  Americans, 
229. 
Vermont,  controversy  with,  285. 
Vice  consul  of  France  removed  by  Washington,  344. 
Viomenil,  Baron  de,  storms  redoubt  at  Yorktown,  279. 
Virginia  relied  upon  to  vote  against  the  constitution  unless  amended,   307. 
Adopts  the  constitution,  316. 
Gives  George  Clinton  three  votes  for  vice  president  in  1788, 

328. 
And  twenty-one  in  1792,  339. 
Vulture,  sloop  of  war,  arrives  in  Haverstraw  Bay :  flags  to  and  from,  257 
Andre  lands  from,  258. 

Fired  upon  by  order  of  colonel  Livingston:  shifts  her  moor- 
ings, 259. 
"War  and  ordnance  department,  order  Lamb  to  Springfield,  233, 
Lamb's  report  to,  234. 
Letter  of  secretary  to  Lamb,  236. 
Reply  of  Lamb,  237. 
Washington,  general,  his  masterly  retreat  of  the  army  from  Long  Island, 
Appendix  A. 
Letter  to  Lamb,  225. 
I.amb's  letters  to,  224,  226. 
Embarrassed  by  neglect  of  congress,  242. 
Offers  battle  to  the  enemy,  254. 

Confers  with  the  French  commander  at  Hartford,  and  returns 
to  Fishkill:  sends  his  suite  to  Arnold's  quarters:  turns  aside 
to  examine  a  redoubt,  260. 


430  INDEX. 

Washington,  general,  receives  news  of  ArnolcTs  treason,  20 1. 
His  firmnnss  on  the  occasion,  263. 
Orders  Lamb  to  the  posts  below,  263. 
Meets  French  generals  at  Weathersfield,  274. 
Disputes  between  Hay  and  Pickering  referred   to:  declines 

to  interfere,  275. 
Meditates  an  attack  on  the  south,  276. 
Out-manceuvres  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  marches  to  Virginia, 

277. 
Invests  Yorktown:  fires  the  first  gun   from   the    American 

batteries,  278. 
Presents  guns  taken  in  the  redoubts  stormed  by  the  French, 

to  the  regiments  who  attacked,  281. 
Letter  to  the  officers  at  Burlington,  287. 
Washington,  George,  president,  elected,  328. 

Is  neutral  between  France  and  England,  338. 
His  proclamation,  340. 

Expected  by  the  democrats  to  veto  Jay's  treaty,  347. 
Wayne,  general's,  division  mutinies,  273. 
Webb,  Samuel,  officer  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Weeks,  George,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Weeks,  Michael,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
West  Point,  bad  condition  of,  207. 
Lamb  ordered  to,  223. 
Again,  238. 

An  expensive  post,  244. 

Garrison  insufficient:  badly  supplied  with  ammunition,  250. 
Whigs,  party  name  restored,  26. 

Declared  protectors  of  the  Liberty  cap  on  the  flag  staff  at 
Tontine  Coffee  House,  340. 
Whitehall,  damage  at  by  the  fire  of  the  Asia,  108. 
Wiley,  William,  Son  of  Liberty  of  New  York,  4,  8,  14. 
Committee  of  1765,  14. 
Affidavit  of,  26. 
Wiley,  John,  offered  a  captain's  commission  in  Lamb's  regiment,  151. 
Bears  a  challenge  from  Oswald  to  Hamilton,  330. 
Helps  to  garrison  Lamb's  house,  335. 
Will,  Philip,  affidavit  of,  35. 
Willett,  Marinus,  early  patriot,  4. 

Presides  with  Lamb  at   a   meeting  of  the  people,  and  seizes 

a  vessel  bound  to  Boston,  101. 
Captain,  left  in  command  of  Fort  St.  John,  123. 
Lieutenant-colonel,  a  letter  from  to  Lamb,  283. 
Chosen  to  the  assembly,  296. 


INDEX.  431 

One  of  the  surviving  Sons  of  Liberty,  304. 

Of  the  association  to  procure  amendments  to  the  constitution, 
320. 
Williams,  Nathaniel,  Son  of  Liberty  of  Long  Island,  4. 
Wilson,  John  Q.,  letter  from,  155-6. 
Winter,  fortifications  of  at  Quebec,  123. 

Of  snow  saturated  by  water  and  frozen,  124. 
Woodward,  Peter,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Wolcott,  Oliver,  at  the  battle  of  Compo,  156. 
Wool,  Isaiah,  lieutenant  in  Lamb's  company  at  Quebec,  109. 

And  captain  in  regiment  of  artillery,  150. 
Woostei    general,  marches  into  New  York,  106. 

Arrives  at  Ticonderoga,  113. 

His  men  refuse  to  march  to  St.  Johns:  are  prevailed  upon  to 
go:  consents  to  act  under  Montgomery,  114. 

Commands  at  Montreal,  123, 

Arrives  at  Quebec:  is  superceded  by  general  Thomas,  142. 

At  Danbury,  157. 

Despatches  Arnold  from  Bethel :  falls  on  the  left  flank  and 
rear  of  the  British:  is  killed,  158. 
Wortman,  Tunis,  secretary  of  the  democratic  society  of  New  York,  345. 

Yates,  Robert,  delegate  to  general  convention,  302. 

Secedes,  305. 

Candidate  for  governor  in  opposition  to  Jay,  346. 
Yorktown,  troops  at:  investment  of :  seige  vigorously  prosecuted :  orders 
of  artillery  at,  278. 

March  from,  282. 
Young,  Thomas,  Son  of  Liberty  in  Albany,  4. 

Of  the  committee  of  Boston:  his  letters,  86,  92. 


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